Seven Sunday nights in Autumn last year saw my Twitter feed full of praise for new ITV drama Downton Abbey. It really annoyed me that I wasn't able to join in as it sounded exactly the sort of thing I, as a child raised on the antics of Mrs Bridges and the Bellamys in Upstairs Downstairs, would love.
The reason? STV's protracted and unnecessary dispute with ITV which basically meant that anything decent ITV produced was not shown in Scotland. Unless people were lucky enough to have the Infernal Wickedness of Sky, they couldn't see this quality drama up here. And what did we have in its place - home grown, maybe, but still tired old Taggart.
I spent £15 on the DVD in January. It was definitely worth it, but I feel a bit cheated that I had to.
Happily, though, the BBC reports that the second series will be shown on STV after it resolved its dispute with ITV. This means that we'll get the first season on Sunday afternoons in August and then the second series plays from 18th September.
If you haven't seen it, do take the chance to watch it. The interplay between Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton is fantastic. The characters are very well written and portrayed, the plots interesting and the photography is absolutely beautiful.
8 comments:
One of the side effects of the localism that we advocate is that services and products available in one part of the UK may not be available in other parts of the UK. How do we address the issue of localism versus, as you put it, feeling cheated? I honestly have no idea.
It is likely that in the future this type of local difference will be more pronounced. For example, all the well listened to Freeview BBC radio channels radio channels have now be dropped to all the broadcast of the utter idiocy that is Gaelic TV. I, and many others, disagree with that decision (especially as DAB Radio & FM/MW doesnt work in many hilly areas), but it is localism in action so I dont feel "cheated".
But this wasn't about localism, it was about money. We didn't have any say in what we got to watch - STV was trying to save itself a bob or several million.
There should have been a way to include Gaelic broadcast stations and preserve the best freeview radio channels.
Downton Abbey was screened in Scotland, admittedly several months later, on Freeview channel ITV3 twice. The last time was a couple of months ago at the sensible time of 8pm on Wednesday's.
Is Virgin evil?
Got that! Has some great features like record and rewind.
Also being able to watch regional variations of Beeb and ITV genuinely useful. Eg I watched Downton when it was first on from here in Edinburgh.
Gavin, Virgin isn't evil but we can't get it.
I know it wasnt localism per se but the effect of localism is just the same. I just dont get the idea that if something is very good and made in England that it should have been taken up & broadcast in Scotland.
I can only take my hat off to the impressive roster of talent and skill of the English series. I really hope to continue producing more things like this in the factory yours to the delight of all.
It's just perfect the atmosphere of the time and classes cohabit in it. And then you come to mind the equally wonderful "Upstairs, Downstairs", although old, is still a benchmark.
It's a series for lovers of vintage series, craftsmanship and drama students in our country.
A very well worn out series, with scenes and the only sets. I am charmed with it since they have done everything. In addition the actors are very good.
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