The Bill on the BBC?

ITV has dumped The Bill saying that audiences have fallen out of favour with the police series from Talkback Thames. Apparently viewing figures have declined, but this is hardly surprising since the programme was never on at a regular time. It tended to move around the schedules. According to Eric Richard, who played Sgt Bob Cryer, ITV used The Bill as knocking copy against the BBC's output. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Police dramas are popular, but they have to have a regular beat, otherwise viewers are lost.

When Granada was touted as possibly losing the northwest franchise of ITV, it was mooted that the BBC might pick up Coronation Street. Such a thought must have focused the minds of the ITV moguls and Granada stayed in place. However, the BBC has for many years had an arrangement with Granada (now simply ITV Studios) to make What The Papers Say, University Challenge and other programmes that ITV dropped unceremoniously.

So could the BBC cosy up to Talkback Thames and get a revitalised The Bill on BBC1? The company aready makes shows for the BBC so why not this one? Unless ITV has a golden armlock agreement, I can't see a problem. Maybe it has passed it's prime but Lorraine Heggessey, the boss of Talkback Thames, was taken aback by the decision to cancel the show.

If those people upset by the axing get up a head of steam, the BBC might be tempted!