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'Merlin' versus 'The X Factor'
Published Monday, Sep 15 2008, 17:06 BST | By Neil Wilkes | 22 comments
The show, which stars Richard Wilson and newcomer Colin Morgan in the title role, has been given a 7.30pm slot on Saturday night.
Airing straight after the first real episode of Strictly Come Dancing, it's in a primetime slot that's perfect for reaching a family audience.
The problem? It's directly up against The X Factor. Lest we forget, the ITV1 reality show has been romping home with over 9 million viewers every week this series. But what does this mean for Merlin's fortunes? Is the drama dead in the water already?
Which show will you be watching? Add your comments to this entry below!
Your Views
22 Comments
Your Responses
Cameron, London, on September 19th, 2008
Merlin will be destroyed, they should have put it on at 6.10pm.
Merlin will be destroyed, they should have put it on at 6.10pm.
Paul, on September 17th, 2008
Merlin looks like an okay programme, but I have a nagging feeling it won't do well in the ratings. Can anyone say "Robin Hood"? That didn't too too well did it?
Merlin looks like an okay programme, but I have a nagging feeling it won't do well in the ratings. Can anyone say "Robin Hood"? That didn't too too well did it?
Paul, Leicester, on September 17th, 2008
Loved X factor this year but it has become so boring. The adverts are longer than the programme itself. I will be watching Merlin and will + Xfactor. At least then I can skip through the ads. Only Itv show I watch!
Loved X factor this year but it has become so boring. The adverts are longer than the programme itself. I will be watching Merlin and will + Xfactor. At least then I can skip through the ads. Only Itv show I watch!
Daniel Erskine, on September 16th, 2008
X Factor is my current favorate show but i am so overly exited for merlin but i do have sky+ so it wont be a problem... maybe the bbc should have thought of putting this on later...strictly come dancing sucks serious balls
X Factor is my current favorate show but i am so overly exited for merlin but i do have sky+ so it wont be a problem... maybe the bbc should have thought of putting this on later...strictly come dancing sucks serious balls
Jen, Liverpool, on September 16th, 2008
I hate the X-Factor sob storys but at the same time I hate the BBC for using heavy handed tactics for making us pay a TV Licence when I watch 1 BBC Program Dr Who. I think I'll just torrent Gossip Girl instead but good luck merlin!
I hate the X-Factor sob storys but at the same time I hate the BBC for using heavy handed tactics for making us pay a TV Licence when I watch 1 BBC Program Dr Who. I think I'll just torrent Gossip Girl instead but good luck merlin!
Andrew, Cardiff, on September 16th, 2008
its just silly, they never put dr who up against the x factor, they've always put SCD up against it and dr who/robin hood on before SCD. why are they changing it now? i'm boycotting the x factor anyway because of the farce they call cheryl cole so it makes no difference to me, i just think its unfair on merlin.
its just silly, they never put dr who up against the x factor, they've always put SCD up against it and dr who/robin hood on before SCD. why are they changing it now? i'm boycotting the x factor anyway because of the farce they call cheryl cole so it makes no difference to me, i just think its unfair on merlin.
chandleruk, on September 16th, 2008
I will happily switch to SCD & then stay for Merlin. i hate hate hate with a passion how utterly predictable and staged X-Factor has become. I thought Mr Cowell said that he was going to ensure that the pathetic sob stories were removed. Life is hard, people die, people get sick, and S**t happens! Doesn't mean you get a wildcard into an aledged "Talent" show. Rant Over! - Merlin all the way!
I will happily switch to SCD & then stay for Merlin. i hate hate hate with a passion how utterly predictable and staged X-Factor has become. I thought Mr Cowell said that he was going to ensure that the pathetic sob stories were removed. Life is hard, people die, people get sick, and S**t happens! Doesn't mean you get a wildcard into an aledged "Talent" show. Rant Over! - Merlin all the way!
olracUK, on September 16th, 2008
Hopefully this will be on catch-up, so I'll be watching it on iPlayer. No way will the wife and kids not be watching X Factor
Hopefully this will be on catch-up, so I'll be watching it on iPlayer. No way will the wife and kids not be watching X Factor
Andi, London, on September 16th, 2008
Dr Who is such a massive hit now it’s difficult to remember that when it first started everyone believed it was dead in the water because it was up against Ant&Dec. People were saying it would struggle to get 5m against them. In the end, it got 11m and beat A+D every single week without A+D’s rating actually dropping. Now Merlin isn’t going to do quite the numbers that Dr Who does but there is a Saturday night audience out there which is hungry for entertainment but doesn’t want the LE stuff churned out by ITV. So if the show proves it’s worth, it could easily hold it’s own and don’t forget SCD is a strong lead in and had beaten X-Factor in the past.
Dr Who is such a massive hit now it’s difficult to remember that when it first started everyone believed it was dead in the water because it was up against Ant&Dec. People were saying it would struggle to get 5m against them. In the end, it got 11m and beat A+D every single week without A+D’s rating actually dropping. Now Merlin isn’t going to do quite the numbers that Dr Who does but there is a Saturday night audience out there which is hungry for entertainment but doesn’t want the LE stuff churned out by ITV. So if the show proves it’s worth, it could easily hold it’s own and don’t forget SCD is a strong lead in and had beaten X-Factor in the past.
Cy Bones, Kent, on September 16th, 2008
With iPlayer, PVRs and "second chances" (repeats!) the overall ratings will probably be about the same so it's just a matter of who takes the honours on Saturday... My money is on Merlin for this week riding on SCDs shirt tails for the first week or so before finding it's own true audience (good or bad).
With iPlayer, PVRs and "second chances" (repeats!) the overall ratings will probably be about the same so it's just a matter of who takes the honours on Saturday... My money is on Merlin for this week riding on SCDs shirt tails for the first week or so before finding it's own true audience (good or bad).
Matthew, Sittingbourne, Kent, on September 16th, 2008
Ever heard of Sky Plus? Problem sorted.
Ever heard of Sky Plus? Problem sorted.
Barbara, Essex, on September 15th, 2008
I shall be watching SCD and Merlin, much better than X-Factor which is repeated ad infinitum anyway and is now soo boring and predictable.
I shall be watching SCD and Merlin, much better than X-Factor which is repeated ad infinitum anyway and is now soo boring and predictable.
Craig, Middlesbrough, on September 15th, 2008
Hmm, a crap reality TV show with aload of crap singers or a show on the BBC with a lot of potential? I know which one I'll be picking.
Hmm, a crap reality TV show with aload of crap singers or a show on the BBC with a lot of potential? I know which one I'll be picking.
Paul, Wigan, on September 15th, 2008
Well the BBC always have a tendency to put something on when ITV have a "golden goose" airing at the same time. Let's hope that, for X Factor's sake, the BBC get their arse bitten.
Well the BBC always have a tendency to put something on when ITV have a "golden goose" airing at the same time. Let's hope that, for X Factor's sake, the BBC get their arse bitten.
Alice, Harrow , on September 15th, 2008
The X Factor!
The X Factor!
Dan H, Surrey, on September 15th, 2008
Why spend so much money and then risk it on all by giving a dumb time!
Why spend so much money and then risk it on all by giving a dumb time!
Craig Burkey, on September 15th, 2008
iPlayer or ITV2... I'll probally watch Merlin and record X-factor then fast forward the ads and the boring personal story of the week
iPlayer or ITV2... I'll probally watch Merlin and record X-factor then fast forward the ads and the boring personal story of the week
Alan, Cork, on September 15th, 2008
Of course it's dead in the water already. Up against the X Factor?? What were they THINKING?!? I for one won't be switching over from the X Factor.....
Of course it's dead in the water already. Up against the X Factor?? What were they THINKING?!? I for one won't be switching over from the X Factor.....
Joe, Newport, on September 15th, 2008
When I saw that these two programmes were on at the same time, I was more than angry. Merlin seems like a great show and its unfair that it has to put up with competition like X Factor. It deserves the ratings it would of got if it had no severe competition.
When I saw that these two programmes were on at the same time, I was more than angry. Merlin seems like a great show and its unfair that it has to put up with competition like X Factor. It deserves the ratings it would of got if it had no severe competition.
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Man I love them both for different reasons. I don't care Merlin is a silly version of an old myth that completely goes against the stories, it's fantastic. It helps me get over the great huge gap until the next Doctor Who. Xfactor is also pretty good. I usually despise the Xfactor after the auditions stage but I'm really enjoying it this year. There seems to be so much talent, particularly Diana. All I can say is thank goodness for Iplayer!!!!