BBC1 'poaches' Extras
Finale for Christmas line-up
The finale of Extras is to air on BBC One rather than BBC Two, according to the broadcast trade press.Ricky Gervais has always said he wanted Extras to premiere on the smaller channel, where it could find its own audience away from the expectations of the mainstream.
But BBC One controller Peter Fincham, who is keen to build a slate of comedy shows for his channel, has reportedly plundered the finale to boost his Christmas schedules.
Trade magazine Broadcast described the move as ‘unexpected’, given Gervais’s previous stance.
Extras pulled in more than 4 million viewers during its second run on BBC Two.
Originally the plan was to end the show after that series, but Gervais and co-creator Stephen Merchant agreed to write a one-off finale, in the same way they ended The Office with a two-part Christmas special.
Published: 17 Apr 2007
