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- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday March 14 2001 13.25 GMT
The hit BBC drama Clocking Off is to be moved to a midweek slot following mounting concern about the performance of key dramas on Sunday night.
BBC director of drama Alan Yentob confirmed the second series of the seven-parter starring Sarah Lancashire would be moved from the slot because he wanted to protect it from ITV's big Sunday night shows.
"Looking at the figures, we feel it would fit better in a midweek slot," said Mr Yentob.
His decision will cause controversy as it comes only days after Clocking Off creator Paul Abbott said he felt audiences would "stick with" the drama in a Sunday night slot.
BBC bosses are sensitive about another high-profile failure after recent flops including Take a Girl Like You and Rebel Heart.
Mr Yentob said the BBC was still "incredibly proud" of Clocking Off, which in its last series attracted audiences of up to 11m.
He denied the Sunday night battleground was a headache for the BBC, saying dramas like Monarch of the Glen and the Warren Clarke vehicle Down to Earth were providing "green shoots".
But he hinted at a shift towards more populist drama scheduled in midweek slots.
"There is room for more shows of some ambition which nevertheless connect with audiences in mid-range, midweek slots," he said.
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