TV
Michael Parkinson's long-running talk show will be moving to ITV in the autumn, it was announced today.
Parkinson will now be produced by Granada for ITV1, and will air on Saturday nights.
"Television stars don’t come much bigger than Michael Parkinson and I am delighted that he is joining us at ITV," said Nigel Pickard, director of programmes at ITV. "There’s no doubt that he is the very best in his field and will be a fantastic addition to ITV’s Saturday nights.
“Not only is he much loved by viewers, he also has the reputation to attract the biggest guest stars from here and Hollywood. Parkinson is the highest rating chat show on British television with one in three viewers tuning in on Saturday nights in 2003. He has tremendous appeal and it’s wonderful to have him as part of the ITV family."
It is understood that Parkinson took the decision to move to ITV 33 years after first joining the BBC because BBC One was unwilling to offer him a timeslot at 10pm on Saturdays. Parkinson explained:
"Saturday at 9pm was a very good offer but my view has always been it's a talk show and talk shows belong at 10pm.
"A show at 9pm has to become something else, like a variety show. There's nothing wrong with that but I didn't want to do it."
Parkinson's final BBC One airing will be on May 8.
Parkinson will now be produced by Granada for ITV1, and will air on Saturday nights.
"Television stars don’t come much bigger than Michael Parkinson and I am delighted that he is joining us at ITV," said Nigel Pickard, director of programmes at ITV. "There’s no doubt that he is the very best in his field and will be a fantastic addition to ITV’s Saturday nights.
“Not only is he much loved by viewers, he also has the reputation to attract the biggest guest stars from here and Hollywood. Parkinson is the highest rating chat show on British television with one in three viewers tuning in on Saturday nights in 2003. He has tremendous appeal and it’s wonderful to have him as part of the ITV family."
It is understood that Parkinson took the decision to move to ITV 33 years after first joining the BBC because BBC One was unwilling to offer him a timeslot at 10pm on Saturdays. Parkinson explained:
"Saturday at 9pm was a very good offer but my view has always been it's a talk show and talk shows belong at 10pm.
"A show at 9pm has to become something else, like a variety show. There's nothing wrong with that but I didn't want to do it."
Parkinson's final BBC One airing will be on May 8.
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