Bingo lined up to replace ITV1's Play

A bingo series is being lined up to replace the late-night ITV Play block which was scrapped from ITV1.

The ITV Play shows, which charged viewers a fee to enter games by phone, were axed last year along with the dedicated digital channel of the same name.

Both were closed down amid criticism of the way quizzes were run and scandals in premium rate phone-ins. ITV said Play revenues suffered from "negative publicity" around the sector.

Bingo Night Live is expected to air at midnight on weekdays for an hour.

It will be free to enter after viewers have registered and downloaded cards on the internet. ITV hopes it will direct people to its website and then other paid-for games and services.

ITV Productions is developing the show, which will offer prizes up to about £1,000.

A source told Broadcast: "ITV Play was a good idea and it did well. It's just a shame there were compliance problems. However, this is a clear sign ITV still wants to be a player in gaming."