A more channel-based Tube Talk than usual this week.

Oh, and house points all round to those who pointed out that Joan of Arcadia no longer exists.


CJ: "Hi,I don't know if your the person to ask this to,but here goes anyway.Do you know if the tv channel Rapture will be broadcast on NTL when it relaunches in the next few months, or is it a SKY only channel?"

Neil: Looks as if it will be Sky-only at the point of relaunch. Quite ironic, considering it was originally the other way around.


Gary Adelman: "I live in manchester. I have relations who live in Bray, Co Wicklow, Eire. They can get all the rte channels and bbc and itv and sky. Seeing as we are all in the eec, why can't I get rte? Is this a restriction of choice?"

Neil: Well by definition, it's a restriction of choice. As to whether it's "fair" - well, it is an Irish station so primarily its concern is an Irish audience. As to whether we'll get it any time soon - no, but they are apparently (post-Tara) "looking at" ways of delivering Irish content to the UK market.


Jim Callan: "I am really enjoying the current ITV1 supernatural series afterlife on Saturdays at 9.10pm. Lesley Sharp and Andrew Lincoln are fantastic in their roles and the plots are compellingly dramatic. Is there to be a second series?"

Neil: No word. It's normally rare that you'll hear of future seasons until after the first has ended. But my guess is yes.


Sean O'Brien: "Here's a long shot for you to ponder over! Has Five said anything about what's going to replace Family Affairs when it finishes in December?"

Neil: Funnily enough, Dan Chambers spoke on that exact subject this week. Well, he doesn't know either yet but they're looking at an acquisition and not a drama.


James Smith: "Just wondered if you know the audience figures for the Brilliant 'Trisha Goddard show' on Five? Which show is doing best in that time slot? Also how is Five's 'Wright Stuff' doing against 'this morning'? Look forward to your column every week."

Neil: Well, Trisha and Matthew Wright have now flipped slots. Trisha's averaging 200,000-250,000 while This Morning is averaging just over a million. The Wright Stuff is lingering around the 200k mark but clear winner is Jeremy Kyle, who's really coming into his own now with an audience of around 1.3 million.


Matthew: "What are the ratings of Parkinson on ITV1 compared to those when it was on BBC1? I really do hope they're worse just to spite ITV. I hate them so much."

Neil: All that aggression's no good for your soul, Matthew. Before he switched, Parky was averaging around 4.5 million on BBC One. Last week he returned to ITV with 3.7 million.


Patrick: "Hey, do you know if any broadcaster in the UK has the rights to any versions of The Mole like the British, Austrailian or American ones? I know Challenge has broadcast them but that was a while back. Please help me out Im desperate!!! If you could answer this I would be forever grateful and might even start the "cult of Neil Wilkes"!!"

Neil: Challenge still has the rights to the US eps but the UK ones were too pricey, apparently. Getting the Aussie ones would be an idea - they're quite good and better than that, still churning out new episodes.


George Thomas: "How do I get one of the set top box which record what programmes I watch and therefore help to record ratings for show (pls note i do not mean video type recordings)?"

Neil: Nice thought, but it doesn't quite work like that. All BARB households are completely anonymous and are approached by BARB themselves. You've probably got a greater chance of improving ratings for a show by telling everyone you know to watch it.


Emma Pearson: "Do you know if any of the UK channels have picked up this new American show (starring David Boreanez of Angel fame)? If so whn will it be aired and what channel?"

Neil: Sky One has the complete package of rights for this show. Expect the New Year.


Laura Eardley: "When on holiday in Florida I watched the first episode of a new series called Reunion on Fox. It seemed really good and I was wondering if you knew if it would ever be aired in the UK?"

Neil: Yes, it will! Channel 4 and E4 are the places to look.


InigoMontoya: "Any word on how Veronica Mars is doing in the ratings on LivingTV?"

Neil: A total of around 50,000 viewers each night.


That's it for now, more next week!