chrismoyles.net
- Mon Mar 10, 2003 1:03 pm
#63038
ITV drops Crossroads
Jane Asher joined the revamped soap
Daytime TV soap Crossroads has been dropped less than three months after it was relaunched because of poor ratings.
ITV bosses have decided to cut the daily soap, which is made by Carlton, after the current season comes to an end in the summer.
Despite a major revamp at the start of the year, which saw actors Jane Asher and Lionel Blair join the cast, ratings slumped to a low of 1.3 million viewers.
"Carlton and ITV have worked extremely hard to establish Crossroads but despite the best efforts of all concerned it has attracted disappointing audiences since its return earlier this year," said ITV director of programmes Nigel Pickard.
"This is a tough decision to have to make and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment to the series."
The show will be moved from its 1700 teatime slot to an earlier afternoon time in the coming weeks.
Crossroads returned to screens in 2001 after a 13-year hiatus with expectations it would become ITV's flagship daytime soap.
Direction
During the soap's heyday in the 60s and 70s, when it was called the Crossroads Motel, it reached audiences of 18 million.
It was seen as a TV institution, although wobbly sets and wooden acting were also part of the experience.
But from a high of 3.2 million viewers when it first returned ratings have continued to decline, while critics have not been kind.
The revamp was designed to get rid of unpopular characters and give the soap a new direction.
But the Crossroads hotel will once again be closing its doors for good.
Jane Asher joined the revamped soap
Daytime TV soap Crossroads has been dropped less than three months after it was relaunched because of poor ratings.
ITV bosses have decided to cut the daily soap, which is made by Carlton, after the current season comes to an end in the summer.
Despite a major revamp at the start of the year, which saw actors Jane Asher and Lionel Blair join the cast, ratings slumped to a low of 1.3 million viewers.
"Carlton and ITV have worked extremely hard to establish Crossroads but despite the best efforts of all concerned it has attracted disappointing audiences since its return earlier this year," said ITV director of programmes Nigel Pickard.
"This is a tough decision to have to make and I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work and commitment to the series."
The show will be moved from its 1700 teatime slot to an earlier afternoon time in the coming weeks.
Crossroads returned to screens in 2001 after a 13-year hiatus with expectations it would become ITV's flagship daytime soap.
Direction
During the soap's heyday in the 60s and 70s, when it was called the Crossroads Motel, it reached audiences of 18 million.
It was seen as a TV institution, although wobbly sets and wooden acting were also part of the experience.
But from a high of 3.2 million viewers when it first returned ratings have continued to decline, while critics have not been kind.
The revamp was designed to get rid of unpopular characters and give the soap a new direction.
But the Crossroads hotel will once again be closing its doors for good.
