The axe has looked sure to fall since earlier this year when ITV lost its Saturday morning children's TV supremacy as the BBC's 'The Saturday Show' toppled 'SM:TV' in overall individual audience figures.
The BBC made an intensive effort to revive the fortunes of its Saturday morning show since the emergence of ITV's 'SM:TV' and 'CD:UK'.
The BBC originally launched 'The Saturday Show' to replace the once-dominant 'Live & Kicking'. However, the show, fronted by hosts Jo Mace and Dani Behr, failed and was winningly revamped with presenters Fearne Cotton and Simon Grant.
The new, as-yet-unnamed ITV1 show will use the familiar Saturday morning kids' magazine format and will include games, sketches, music and bought-in dramas and animated programming.
Steven Andrew, controller of children's television at ITV, said: "After five fantastic years of 'SM:TV', we all recognised it was time for a change on Saturday mornings. We've gone for a show that is all about fun with a team with bags of fresh ideas. I'm confident that the new show, teamed with 'CD:UK', now a real fixture of Saturday mornings, will be a compelling proposition for kids."
The new show, which will be produced by Carlton Productions with independent production company The Foundation, is chiefly targeting four- to 12-year-olds and will include interactive elements to allow viewers to get involved from home.
David Mercer, controller of children's and young people's programmes at Carlton, said: "Carlton is absolutely delighted to have won such a significant commission from ITV. We are confident that we will deliver a show with lasting family appeal to ITV. Our partner, The Foundation, has great experience of Saturday morning TV and if anyone can make it fun The Foundation can."
While 'SM:TV' falls by the wayside, its Saturday morning companion 'CD:UK', which airs directly afterwards, has been recommissioned until the end of 2004. 'CD:UK', produced by Zenith's Blaze Television, will stay in its current slot and will continue to be presented by Cat Deeley.
Between the new show airing and the end of 'SM:TV', ITV1 will air what it is calling 'SM:TV Gold', which will mix elements of a live show with the best moments from the past five years of 'SM:TV'.
"'SM:TV' has given great service to ITV1 and its viewers. I'm delighted that we are giving it such a good send-off and look forward to enjoying again some of the great moments from the past five years," Andrew said.
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