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BBC ITV

ITV sets sights on winning Christmas ratings war against BBC with Downton Abbey special

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By The Drum Team, Editorial

September 30, 2011 | 1 min read

ITV could be set to win the Christmas Day ratings war against the BBC for the first time in 10 years, having announced that it will broadcast a feature-length episode of Downton Abbey.

The commercial broadcaster is expected to air a 90-minute special of its hit period drama, which will go up against BBC festive fair such as The Royle Family, Doctor Who and Eastenders in the evening slots.

ITV has consistently lost out in the ratings war with the BBC in recent years, with the BBC last year airing eight of the 10 most watched programmes.

Although ITV’s Christmas line-up has yet to be announced, a spokesperson for the broadcaster commented to the Mirror: “We are delighted that Downton Abbey will be part of ITV’s Christmas line-up.”

ITV has, however, come in for criticism with the latest series of Downton Abbey, for running too many advertising breaks during the programme.

BBC ITV

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