TV serial cuts worry producers
- Publication: The Daily Telegraph
- Date: 1972-02-15
- Author: Peter Knight
- Page: 6
- Language: English
Programme executives at ITV and the BBC were discussing plans yesterday for maintaining viewers interest in television serials despite the power cuts.
After the blackout of such popular series as "Coronation Street," "Dr. Who" and "Crossroads", many viewers have rung wanting to know what has happened, and asking for programmes to be repeated.
Producers fear that if many episodes are missed serials may never recover their present audiences.
One measure likely to be employed immediately is for the précis of the previous episodes be given both for the next.
No repeats yet
But at present there are no plans to repeat any episode. This includes the BBC's serial "The Moonstone," which ended on Sunday during power cuts. A BBC spokesman said it was pointless to show it again now as those viewers who missed it on Sunday night will miss it again.
"We shall have to look at the situation when things are back to normal," he said. Naturally we shall take into consideration how many were affected by the blackout in demand for the programme's repeat.
The BBC received many calls after the programme asking what had happened. Viewers were told that the villain of the piece, Godfrey Ablewhite, was finally unmasked, and that the diamond was restored to its rightful place as an Indian temple.
People who missed the Saturday episode of "Dr. Who" will be able to catch up this Saturday. A short resumé of the episode will be given before this week's programme.
ATV, who produce the five-days-a-week serial "Crossroads," will probably do the same. A spokesman said: "We shall certainly keep the viewers informed of what is happening in the serial, and fill in the gaps for them."
Granada, who produce "Coronation Street," will also give resumés before new episodes. They are likely to be asked to repeat the final episode of "A Family at War," to be broadcast on Wednesday.
The ITV companies are setting up a committee to examine the whole problem of lost audiences resulting from power cuts. It will assess the numbers involved, and then discuss with advertisers whether any rebates are due.
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- APA 6th ed.: Knight, Peter (1972-02-15). TV serial cuts worry producers. The Daily Telegraph p. 6.
- MLA 7th ed.: Knight, Peter. "TV serial cuts worry producers." The Daily Telegraph [add city] 1972-02-15, 6. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Knight, Peter. "TV serial cuts worry producers." The Daily Telegraph, edition, sec., 1972-02-15
- Turabian: Knight, Peter. "TV serial cuts worry producers." The Daily Telegraph, 1972-02-15, section, 6 edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=TV serial cuts worry producers | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/TV_serial_cuts_worry_producers | work=The Daily Telegraph | pages=6 | date=1972-02-15 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=14 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=TV serial cuts worry producers | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/TV_serial_cuts_worry_producers | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=14 March 2025}}</ref>
