The war of words between ITV and BBC continued this morning as Adam Crozier described the Beeb’s expensive new reality talent acquisition The Voice as ‘derivative’. The ITV boss went on to explain that his station’s profits were up by 14% in 2011, off the back of a thriving production business.
This latest swipe follows AliciaDixongate, CalltheMidwifegate and ..ermm Adelegate, after his bold criticism (which we think is quite rich for a man who sees Britain’s Got Talent as an asset) he was forced to admit that ITV’s key performers like X Factor and I’m A Celebrity had suffered declines this year, while suggesting that his channel needed to find new shows.
He explained that ITV “is famous for and very good at … shiny floor entertainment shows” and wanted to step up development of formats in this area” and has already earmarked £25 on a scheme to fund pilots in a bid to find the next big show. ITV have enjoyed great success with X Factor, BGT, Dancing On Ice and I’m A Celebrity.. but nothing they’ve launched in the last five years has matched the ratings these shows have achieved.
“Of course Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor are important programmes on the entertainment side,” said Crozier, in a conference call with journalists on Wednesday. “A lot of these shows have been running for some time and it is sensible to look at new ideas. The last two or three years there really hasn’t been anything new around. Probably only the Voice and even that is a derivative of some of the shows around.”
