Hit BBC2 comedy The Office has been given the ultimate compliment by BBC bosses, and will switch to BBC1 when it returns for two Christmas specials later this year, writes Sam Matthews
BBC director of television Jana Bennet sanctioned the move to give the show a wider reach and boost its ratings, just like previous converts Have I Got News For You and The Royle Family.
"The fantastic writing and characters of The Office won a huge and loyal fan base when it appeared on BBC2, and we wanted to make sure the widest number of viewers got a chance to watch the last two episodes ever, so we agreed that David Brent, Gareth and the team in Slough should make an appointment with BBC1 this Christmas," said Bennett.
The Office averaged 4 million viewers during its second series, making it BBC2's biggest rating comedy last year.
Last Christmas an Only Fools and Horses special was watched by more than 16 million viewers on BBC1. This year, The Office will take its place as the new centrepiece of the Christmas schedule.
The loss of The Office will leave a gap in the schedule for BBC2, a void that will no doubt be hard to fill. BBC2 controller Jane Root is said to be less than happy about the move.
The shows co-creators Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have promised the specials will tie up the loose ends left by the second series, which went out last autumn. Viewers can expect a climax to the 'will they or won't they' romance between Dawn and Tim, and will discover the fate of the Slough branch and David Brent's career.
No comments yet