VIEW WANT SOME? BBC move Strictly to clash with X Factor
Source: The Sun, Sep. 10, 2009
THE BBC has declared war on the X Factor by scheduling Strictly Come Dancing directly against it.
Beeb chiefs are so desperate to beat their great rival they are asking fans to choose between the two shows on Saturday nights.
Strictly's first Saturday show will start at 7.25pm on September 19 and run until 9.05pm. The same night the X Factor will air from 8pm until 9.15pm.
The move is being seen as a clear signal the BBC is gunning for its rival, led by Simon Cowell.
Tricks
Last year Strictly aired much earlier, going out from around 6pm.
The move has infuriated ITV. A source said: "This is dirty tricks. There is usually a kind of gentlemen's agreement between channels not to do this sort of thing. The whole point is to give viewers a choice of great TV throughout the evening.
"Given that they are funded by licence fee payers - the viewers - it really is poor form."
But a BBC spokeswoman insisted Strictly had to air later, as BBC1 was screening family drama Merlin in the teatime slot.