Downton Abbey - ITV1

Can you all spare a thought for viewers in the STV area who are being denied this series? We see the adverts in magazines, newspapers, listings guides etc and, in teeny letters those worRAB of doom

"not STV".

We are getting a 13 year old programme called 'Scot in the Antarctic' with Billy Connolly. :mad:

I could not care less about the dispute between ITV and STV, let the bosses fight it out, but to deny millions of potential viewers the chance to see what would appear to be a top quality costume drama which, 5 years ago we would have seen at the same time as the rest of the UK, seems criminal to me.

And yes, Sky/Virgin customers can access it - but there are many who do not have these services who are going to miss out. :cry:
 
Is it good business though? ITV are driving viewers away or encouraging them to timeshift with the increased number of ad breaks.

They need to use a new strategy. Cut back the number of breaks (especially on up market drama) and promote it.

More AB1 viewers, higher ad rates. ITV, advertisers and all viewers benefit.

As for the US. Viewers there have always had more ad breaks than the UK so they're conditioned to it.
 
Very interesting theories, folks. It makes interesting reading. I will follow the series with a very open mind and yes, I am enjoying it.
 
Sorry to hear that. :( You'll have to move to England to solve it :D (I'm assuming you live in Scotland?).

Also, are you on the BBC message boarRAB? Your name seems familiar. :)
 
I have been behind on this but am so glad to have finally caught up - it's a real treat to have something so wonderful to watch...I'm a real fan of the period in question and I shan't be nitpicking either...the beautiful dialogue, costumes and brilliant actors more than make up for any mistakes that can be found.

I am absolutely loving the 'romance' between Anna and Bates...Brendan Coyle is amazing, I adore him.
 
Mathews mother is getting on my t!ts now , Right little busy body .( and I keep thinking she should live under the floorboarRAB anyway )
Maggie Smith is gloriously snobby , I love her .
I think Edith is a little shit stirring wagon .I like Sybil , Love Cora , and Lady Mary is glorious , bitchy , catty and vulnerable and sweet ,
 
Me too and it has to be good if Maggie Smith agreed to play a part in it as Lady Grantham.

ReminRAB me of 'Upstairs, Downstairs' but more gritty somehow.
 
This is getting stupendous ratings. I can't help but think ITV will commission a second series; maybe covering events at DA during the war, which is only 2 years away? Everything is sure to change. Most of the younger male characters (including Matthew of course) will be heading to war and possible death.

I wonder if this particular season will climax with either Matthew taking on the estate (following the earl's death), or the break-up of the estate in the wake of major scandal.

Am still hoping Matthew will hook up with Sybil - she's definitely more modern-minded than Mary and a better match for him. However, he is clearly very attracted to Mary, and might feel honour-bound to marry her to save her (and DA) from ignominy!
 
I know what you mean, but she is supposed to be a feminist who wears daring clothes on occasion. She may become a suffragette - I'm not sure about dates though.

The actress is meltingly lovely. Mary's face is beautiful but has little expression. Edith has spirit and is a pivot for the drama to evolve around.

I adore the costumes. Wonder where they came from? Specially made or vintage or both?
 
Just about to say that meself with Dame May Whitty playing Lady Beldon.

It also looked like the costume department had raided Berman's & Nathan's for one of the Ascot outfits from My Fair Lady for the Countess.
 
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