by dutchman » Wed May 02, 2012 6:17 pm
Simon Cowell and ITV have moved the Britain's Got Talent final to a later slot, reducing the clash with The Voice UK to 10 minutes.
BGT was originally planned for 6.30pm with The Voice UK airing at 6.10pm, meaning the two rival shows would go head-to-head for well over an hour.
The Mirror's Mark Jefferies claimed on Twitter that BBC and ITV executives organised an emergency meeting to negotiate the scheduling.
"Three HOURS after schedules were due to be handed in by BBC and ITV, bosses had emergency call to stop Voice/BGT clash," Jefferies wrote.
ITV then announced in a statement: "Update: Britain's Got Talent - The Live Final: 7.30pm Saturday 12 May on ITV1."
Following consecutive ratings losses, ITV's decision to ensure Britain's Got Talent would not clash with The Voice for the final three weeks of auditions has paid dividends so far.
This Saturday (May 5), The Voice airs at 7.10pm, while Britain's Got Talent follows afterwards at 8.45pm.
