Posted July 24, 200618 yr TOTP lives on around the world Source: Music Week The BBC bids an emotional farewell to Top Of the Pops on UK TV screens this weekend, but is already in advanced stages to continue it as an international weekly programme. The broadcaster formally denies any decision has been taken about the show's future, but Music Week has learned that studio time has been booked at BBC TV Centre in August, September and October. These slots will be used to record shows for transmission through BBC Worldwide in 120 territories around the world, where the brand is still strong. It means the music industry would at least retain the programme as an international showcase. Studios will be hired for two-day blocks either once or twice a month, with the first day given over to rehearsals and the second to filmed performances. The plan is to then cut the results into half-hour programmes which will be broadcast internationally on a weekly basis. Current studio bookings are for August 10/11, August 31/September 1, September 8/9 and October 2/3. London will be used as a hub, through which the biggest names in the world will pass and be able to record between one and three tracks. Studios will also be available in the Netherlands and Italy. The BBC announced the Top Of The Pops brand would live on internationally last month, but until now it was not known what was being considered by the BBC. Whether the new version of Top Of The Pops will be shown on a UK channel such as BBC3 is unclear, but what is certain is that Top Of The Pops will be taking its bow after 42 years on terrestrial British television with an hour-long special this Sunday. The show will mark the history of the world's longest-running weekly music show, with 10 classic performances and guest presenters including its first presenter Jimmy Savile, Tony Blackburn, Pat Sharp and Reggie Yates. The show's executive producer Mark Cooper says its absence could ultimately be beneficial. "It will be very emotional and painful," he says. "I don't think any of us know what life without Top Of The Pops will feel like, but perhaps not having it will teach us what sort of show we're missing and what we should fill its place with." All BBC music programming will now come under a new audio & music division unit, which was unveiled last week as part of a major structural reorganisation of the Corporation under Mark Thompson. It will be run by BBC director of radio and music Jenny Abramsky and will lead music output across all BBC platforms.
July 24, 200618 yr I would recommend an excellent written piece written about the demise of TOTP in this month's The Word magazine.
July 24, 200618 yr I wonder if they'll do a Chart Show finish and end with the song they started with. In the case of the Chart Show it was "Addicted To Love", and the same video, but with TOTP they don't have the same luxury as the original programme has long since gone, so perhaps a "live" version of the Stones doing "I Wanna Be Your Man". I know Jimmy Saville (who presented the first TOTP in 1964) is presenting some of the programme, so I bet it happens...
July 24, 200618 yr I don't think it'll be gone for too long mark my words ;) They'll be a show like it at least most likely by next year.
July 24, 200618 yr I don't think it'll be gone for too long mark my words ;) They'll be a show like it at least most likely by next year. My thoughts also.
July 24, 200618 yr I don't think it'll be gone for too long mark my words ;) They'll be a show like it at least most likely by next year. I agree. Though perhaps not next year but soon enough...
July 24, 200618 yr Author It be sad to see it go after next Sunday, for me, I grew up watching it, every Thursday in my teens, when they moved it to Fridays, that was the death of it.
July 24, 200618 yr It be sad to see it go after next Sunday, for me, I grew up watching it, every Thursday in my teens, when they moved it to Fridays, that was the death of it. Same here. :(
July 25, 200618 yr Why was it moved in the first place? supposedly, for a few weeks in 1996 for summer sports, mainly the Olympics.
July 25, 200618 yr I used to watchi it every week on a thurs too, then when they moved it to friday i lost track. wasn't it up against coronation street too, losing it millions of viewers immediately. good idea bbc!
July 25, 200618 yr i just hope millions tune in to watch it and make the bcc relise it had potential to do very well,and i agree it should have never been moved from thursdays
July 25, 200618 yr I remember the first episode I watched was when the spice girls first performed wannabe, and me and my cousin tried to immitate them :( :lol: I have lost track of it though, it doesnt have the same importance it once had, but if there still keeping it in an international matrket, then it wont be completely gone
July 25, 200618 yr TOTP should get on the show the act that performed on the last ever Tube, the last ever The Word & had a video played on the last ever The Chart Show. Does anyone want to guess who that was??? :D
July 25, 200618 yr Anyone wishing to read a history of the show from it's beginnings to the year 2000 should take a look HERE It has a picture of the church (that was the studio) in Manchester where it all started in 1964 plus a couple of pictures of the old days. It also has 6 of the logos that were featured througout it's life along with (if you click on the logos) the theme tune of that particular era.
July 25, 200618 yr Anyone wishing to read a history of the show from it's beginnings to the year 2000 should take a look HERE It has a picture of the church (that was the studio) in Manchester where it all started in 1964 plus a couple of pictures of the old days. It also has 6 of the logos that were featured througout it's life along with (if you click on the logos) the theme tune of that particular era. Brillant article on the link once I found the forward button!
July 25, 200618 yr http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/listings/index...4224&day=sunday Sunday 30 July 7:00 pm Top of the Pops: The Final Countdown After 42 years and over 2000 editions, the BBC's weekly chart show Top of the Pops announces its very last Number One tonight. This live studio show reunites many of the show's best-known presenters. 10:00 pm Top of the Pops: The True Story As Top of the Pops draws to a close, this is your chance to look back at the highs and lows of the programme's illustrious 42 year history.
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