Bold BBC decision could save TOTP: Top Of The Pops' move to a different slot could well breathe new life into the format.(Editorial)

Top Of The Pops claims a special place in the hearts of most of us in the business who love music. The sad fact of life, though, is that it has lost its crucial significance for the music fans of today

The BBC's decision to move the show from BBC1 is sad for those of us who remember it as a flagship moment in the weekly schedules. But that image of the show is far outdated.

The facts stand for themselves. Jonathan Ross's show attracts as much as twice the audience of TOTP, despite the fact that the pop show has the peak-time slot and Ross languishes in the post-10.30pm graveyard. It should be the other way round.

There are mitigating factors, of course. The biggest influence on the show's poor viewing figures has been its most recent rival--Coronation Street. Frankly, it never had a chance against Deirdre, Ken and co.

In that context, it is good news that the pop show is getting its chance to fight another day. What must be cut off at the pass, though, is any possibility that it will leap from the frying pan to the fire and play opposite Coronation Street on Sundays, too.

Andi Peters and Mark Cooper should fight tooth and nail to ...