Yesterday ITV bosses announced a big shake-up in an effort to pare down costs in a difficult economic climate. Plans include closing their Leeds studio, and cutting 600 jobs. Programmes will be hit, with The Bill being reduced to one episode a week and other programmes being shelved entirely.
So how will this affect Corrie? As ITV's flagship programme, it's probably in the best position to weather the storm, but there are likely to be some changes. Negotiations are still ongoing about moving the production and set to the MediaCityUK site in Salford. The present Quay Street site would then be sold. "We're in deep discussion with MediaCity and it's something that maybe we'll be able to announce," ITV chief operating officer John Cresswell told the MEN. "The key thing in this is, obviously, protecting Coronation Street, which is the most valuable programme on British television. So we're not going to rush into a decision."
Some job cuts are likely among support staff in ITV's Manchester base, but the Mail sounds an alarmist note about pay cuts to the cast, saying that star names could leave "as wages plunge."
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I fear this is a bit of sabre-rattling, particularly on the part of the Daily Mail. As John Cresswell said that "...most valuable programme on British television. So we're not going to rush into a decision".
I don't think that there are any minor characters at the moment they could easily axe, even though they may not be featured prominently at the moment, their time comes round !
As for the actors, they must know there are plenty behind them who would love the opportunity to appear in Corrie, even on a low wage.
Martin, I agree, which is why I said the Mail was being "alarmist." And I also agree with you that they're never going to have a shortage of good actors wanting to appear on the show even if the wages aren't the highest in the world.
Well if ITV are interested I have a list of cast who should/could be culled, not have their contracts renewed:
Michelle Connor, must be the most unpopular character ever
Janice Battersby - should never have been brought back that time
Tom Connor - sorry, nothing seems to have been done with him, he disappeared for ages with no explanation, and now seems to have been eclipsed by Luke's character.
Peter Barlow - again sorry to his fans, but the character has just disappeared again and doesnt seem to have been missed. I find the alcholic story tiresome.
Bill Webster - give him a story or write him out, what was the point of bringing him back from "Germany".
Sean Tulley - another character that has had his day, the camp OTT acting is ridiculous.
Lets hope itm doesn;t affect corrie too much, and as for pay cuts that could be exaggerated. We'll just have to see what happens, but I think corrie will be Ok, and I hope the same for other soaps.
Lets hope the pay cuts on actors aren;t true and corrie will get through this as will other soaps.
If ITV/Granada/ITV Productions need to save money then the first port of call should be the Coronation Street cast. Axings all round I feel. The cast could easily be trimmed down by 15-20 actors.
Corrie's production expenses should also be put forward for a trimming down. It may just be my view on things, but Corrie seems to waste money willy-nilly, especially on sets and wardrobe. Why has money been wasted on the brand new upstairs set at the Rovers? Redecorating the Rovers twice within a year? Moving the staircase at No.4? It might not be megabucks, but it all adds up.
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Peter Barlow - again sorry to his fans, but the character has just disappeared again and doesnt seem to have been missed. I find the alcholic story tiresome."
I missed Peter a lot and I know other fans did as well. The alcoholism story is tiresome, but that's the story, not him. They can easily give him another story. There's no reason to write his character out.
If people are going to go, then I say the Windasses, Sean, Kelly, and Michelle. That should free up money.