[Shasown]

Long-running police drama The Bill is to be axed by ITV after more than a quarter of a century.

The show - set in the fictional Sun Hill - was given a major revamp last year to win back viewers but audiences have fallen steadily in recent years.

ITV said that the series was being axed to reflect the changing tastes of viewers, but pledged to continue investing in "high-quality drama".

The move, which will see the show end this year, was said to be a creative decision rather than simply to save costs.

Audiences have slipped from around seven million viewers five years ago to under four million in recent months.

Peter Fincham, ITV director of television, said: "The Bill has been a fixture on our screens for more than 25 years and has been the home of some of the UK's best serial drama storylines, and a great showcase for terrific scriptwriting and fine acting talent.

"Thanks to a superb production team, it's been one of the great institutions of television drama.

"But times change, and so do the tastes of our audience. This is reflected in the mix of what ITV1 will offer as a channel, with an increased focus on new and varied drama commissions for the 9.00pm slot.

"Whilst The Bill will come to an end in 2010, we will continue to invest more in drama programming than any other commercial broadcaster in the UK and viewers can look forward to a wide range of high-quality drama on ITV1."

[arista]

I will miss The Bill.

[GypsyGoth]

I never watched it.

[bbfan1991]

[Mrluvaluva]

They ruined it with the new format.

[Ruth*Star]

Quite Surprised by this. =/

[ILoveTRW]

they have been saying it for years
shame really, not that i ever watched it though.

[Gemmer-x]

aw! the bill's been around for ages i quite like it

[Mystic Mock]

Oh my god this forum speaking about good tv shows

[Shaun]

Aw. It was quite good before they tried to make it all American-ish with the weird camerawork.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Aw. It was quite good before they tried to make it all American-ish with the weird camerawork.

Yes and went into ITV1HD
which is on FreesatHD
until Virgin and Sky add it.


The HD film is great
I hope they end it on a 2 hour special.
And the Police Station Blown up.

[Firewire]

I watched it when it was on at 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

I didn't watch when it moved to 9pm and wasn't on in Scotland.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Shaun

Aw. It was quite good before they tried to make it all American-ish with the weird camerawork.

Agreed, I bet if they had kept it the same, it would still be going strong, stupid producers

I hope the show gets a finale and doesnt just end

[*mazedsalv**]

What makes me laugh is the day they axe the Bill, the day it gets its highest audience since its revamp.
Last night got 4.5m (up from the normal 3.5-3.9m it gets), so now with the news I expect ratings to go to over 5m for next week!!! LOL, would really piss the producers off.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by *mazedsalv**

What makes me laugh is the day they axe the Bill, the day it gets its highest audience since its revamp.
Last night got 4.5m (up from the normal 3.5-3.9m it gets), so now with the news I expect ratings to go to over 5m for next week!!! LOL, would really piss the producers off.

This news will most likely boost ratings

[*mazedsalv**]

Originally Posted by Chewy

This news will most likely boost ratings

I know but last nights rating was completely out of the blue, the news was announced today but the episode which was shown before the axe was revealed got about 1 million more than it has been getting in the last few weeks. So it will further push ratings when more people hear.

[Kerry]

About time. It died on it's arse about a decade ago

[Mrluvaluva]

I was just reading this in the Daily Star

[arista]

Its Done
Closed shop.

That is to Late.



Is your Untitled Paint
any good?

[Patrick]

Alot of shows are ending these days :|

[Jords]

I liked it with the new format, shame its being canceled.