BBC Canceling "Top of The Pops" after 42 years. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Jrnygrl · 06-20-2006, 05:35 PM

LONDON, England (AP) -- The British Broadcasting Corp. announced Tuesday that it is canceling "Top of the Pops," its flagship music chart show, after more than four decades on the air.

BBC director of television Jana Bennett said the show, which first appeared in 1964, would air for the last time on July 30.

"We're very proud of a show which has survived 42 years in the U.K. and gone on to become a worldwide brand, but the time has come to bring the show to its natural conclusion," she said.

"Top of the Pops" has featured everyone from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Nirvana and the Spice Girls. At its peak, the weekly rundown of Britain's best-selling acts attracted more than 15 million viewers.

The show has suffered flagging ratings in recent years as it faced competition from cable and satellite music channels and the Internet. Last year it was moved from the main BBC1 channel to BBC2, which attracts a smaller audience.

In a statement, the BBC said that "in a rapidly changing musical landscape 'Top of the Pops' no longer occupies the central role it once did."

Bennett said the BBC remained committed to music, and announced a slew of new shows, including a rock history series entitled "The Seven Ages of Rock."

vashti1999 · 06-20-2006, 08:27 PM

That's an institution over there, but I guess it was just a matter of time, like how American Bandstand finally bit the dust over here years ago. Stuff like MTV making those shows obsolete. I've only seen bits of TOTP but it's sad to see it go after so many years.

Jrnygrl · 06-21-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashti1999

That's an institution over there, but I guess it was just a matter of time, like how American Bandstand finally bit the dust over here years ago. Stuff like MTV making those shows obsolete. I've only seen bits of TOTP but it's sad to see it go after so many years.

Hi Vash!!!!

I agree with you. When I read this it was like how can they end a show like this, but I guess all things have a beginning and an end. I love the archeive stuff that they show on VH1 Classics, like Ohio Players, Stevie Wonder, Free, Heart, Jackson 5. Anyone who was anyone was on this show like AB!! I still miss AB!!!

80sTrivia · 06-21-2006, 06:00 AM

Wow... that's sad to hear. So many of the best musical acts of all time got their big breaks by performing on TOTP in the UK and American Bandstand here in the States... now there really isn't a platform for new artists to break out, seeing that MTV no longer has anything to do with music and VH1 concentrates on so-called "reality" programming...

Race's Girl · 06-27-2006, 05:24 AM

I liked that show since I first saw it and I can't believe that's true

06-20-2006, 05:35 PM	#1
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	BBC Canceling "Top of The Pops" after 42 years. LONDON, England (AP) -- The British Broadcasting Corp. announced Tuesday that it is canceling "Top of the Pops," its flagship music chart show, after more than four decades on the air. BBC director of television Jana Bennett said the show, which first appeared in 1964, would air for the last time on July 30. "We're very proud of a show which has survived 42 years in the U.K. and gone on to become a worldwide brand, but the time has come to bring the show to its natural conclusion," she said. "Top of the Pops" has featured everyone from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Nirvana and the Spice Girls. At its peak, the weekly rundown of Britain's best-selling acts attracted more than 15 million viewers. The show has suffered flagging ratings in recent years as it faced competition from cable and satellite music channels and the Internet. Last year it was moved from the main BBC1 channel to BBC2, which attracts a smaller audience. In a statement, the BBC said that "in a rapidly changing musical landscape 'Top of the Pops' no longer occupies the central role it once did." Bennett said the BBC remained committed to music, and announced a slew of new shows, including a rock history series entitled "The Seven Ages of Rock."

06-20-2006, 08:27 PM	#2
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	That's an institution over there, but I guess it was just a matter of time, like how American Bandstand finally bit the dust over here years ago. Stuff like MTV making those shows obsolete. I've only seen bits of TOTP but it's sad to see it go after so many years.
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06-21-2006, 06:00 AM	#4
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Wow... that's sad to hear. So many of the best musical acts of all time got their big breaks by performing on TOTP in the UK and American Bandstand here in the States... now there really isn't a platform for new artists to break out, seeing that MTV no longer has anything to do with music and VH1 concentrates on so-called "reality" programming...
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06-27-2006, 05:24 AM	#5
Race's Girl Miss Tremendous Forum Celebrity Join Date: Jan 26, 2005 Location: On Fonzie's bike in front of Arnold's Posts: 23,560	I liked that show since I first saw it and I can't believe that's true
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