Britain's Got Talent 'cancelled' by ITV to avoid Eurovision ratings war

Britain's Got Talent will not air in its usual Saturday night slot next week, with channel bosses 'cancelling' the hit show to avoid a ratings clash with the Eurovision Song Contest.

This week the new series of the ITV programme will air its fourth audition round, having launched last month for a double header, before continuing last weekend. There have been four Golden Buzzers handed out so far, with Amanda Holden and Ant and Dec pressing it in the opening episode, before Alesha Dixon did the same a night later and Simon Cowell sent another act straight through to the live semis during the April 27 episode.

But, while Britain's Got Talent will air in its usual primetime slot this Saturday, May 4, it will be 'missing in action' seven days later, with TV listings revealing that it won't be on at all that night, with ITV choosing to air Bond film Casino Royale and next week's BGT airing on Sunday, May 12 instead.

It's not the first time BGT has been scrapped in order to avoid a battle with Eurovision because, when it has gone head to head, the contest has always pulled in more viewers.

READ MORE: Eurovision Song Contest 2024 countries, acts and songs for Malmo competition

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Like it always does, the Eurovision final will dominate the evening schedule on BBC One on Saturday, May 11, with live coverage from Malmo beginning at 8pm and expected to run well past 11pm. Just like they did last year, when the competition took place in Liverpool, both semi finals will also air on BBC One, with the first on May 7 and the second following on May 9.