The BBC have claimed that they are working on a new flagship television show to replace Top Of The Pops.
A television institution, Top Of The Pops ran for 42 years becoming a vitally important part of the music industry. However declining viewing figures saw the BBC ditch the show, which now only emerges at Christmas.
In the absence of Top Of The Pops, however, there is no weekly music show on the BBC. Sure, ‘Later… With Jools Holland’ makes appearances throughout the year but aside from that ClashMusic can’t think of many dedicated shows.
The situation has been criticised by those within the industry, with Simon Cowell last year making a high profile attempt to purchase the Top Of The Pops brand name and bring it back on ITV.
Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild meeting, BBC Radio 1 controller Andy Parfitt insisted that a new show was on its way. “We are working on it” he said, before dismissing claims that there was no music on BBC TV as “absolute rot”.
“It would be great if we could get a new popular music-based programme with a new format, a new kind of offer that really worked for the audience,” he said.
“The work is on to try and find a format but we are not trying to relaunch or reinvent Top of the Pops. That is kind of a red herring. Should we be looking for a programme? Of course we should and we are.”
“Would it be a good thing to try and persevere and work with producers to identify a new format? Yes. That’s what television does all the time. Jan Younghusband is actually leading that process and I am closely involved with that.”
Continuing, Parfitt explained that TOTP were “four letters that bring out immediately all levels of prejudice” from traditionalists and those who wanted to move beyond the format.
The debate rages on… let us know your opinion!
