I guess there's always some chance another network will pick them up, but it's probably the end of an era (and a lot of Hollyoaks and Eastenders actors will be sweating).

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar/26/the-bill-itv

The Bill, one of the UK's longest-running TV dramas, is to be dropped by ITV in the autumn after 27 years, MediaGuardian.co.uk can reveal.

ITV has taken the decision to axe the police drama after last year's revamp and switch to a new 9pm slot failed to halt a long-term ratings decline.

The Bill last year was moved from being aired twice a week at 8pm on ITV1 to a single slot on Thursdays at 9pm. The show also switched from a 30-minute to an hour format and storylines were tweaked to take account of the new post-watershed slot.

However, ratings for the show have failed to pick up. In 2002 the show averaged more that 7 million viewers, while more recently audiences been about 3.5 million.

Wow. There's an end to everything; nobody is safe anymore.

Wow. There's an end to everything; nobody is safe anymore.

Simple laws of nature. No ratings -> cancellation.

Also, perhaps this will mean a chance for something new and exciting to take its palce.

Doubtful, but who knows.

That's what some are worried about, if there will be new quality shows. ITV has canned a lot of their long running dramas in the past few years (some much more popular than The Bill is now), with few good shows to replace them. They've gotten a lot of positive buzz for their new drama Married, Single, Other, although the ratings aren't hot.

With Hollyoaks also in danger, I'd like to see a new soap launched, but even in the UK it seems unlikely it would be successful. Who knows? But The Bill being axed is very shocking. Now that it's only airing once a week it won't leave a huge programming void, but it is certainly shocking. What will Gary Lucy do now?

Yes, it's kind of distressing that the UK isn't producing as many new dramas and no new soaps. That's what started happening in the US.

I think Gary Lucy is already off the show. As for what he can do now -- he should try porn.

With Hollyoaks also in danger, I'd like to see a new soap launched, but even in the UK it seems unlikely it would be successful. Who knows? But The Bill being axed is very shocking. Now that it's only airing once a week it won't leave a huge programming void, but it is certainly shocking. What will Gary Lucy do now?

Too bad the BBC dropped that Australian experiment, Out of the Blue.

But that should tell you how committed they are to launching new serials.

Edited March 26, 201015 yr by Sylph

In quotes:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8589575.stm

ITV accused of sabotage:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1260871/ITV-axes-The-Bill-27-years-ratings-fall.html