In a challenge to the BBC's Top of the Pops, Capital Radio, Chrysalis, GWR and Scottish Radio Holdings - the companies behind Britain's biggest commercial radio chart countdown Hit 40 UK - are in talks to launch a TV show version next year.
The managing director of the Hit 40 UK, Rob Corlett said: "We are having conversations with all the commercial broadcasters at the moment, who are evaluating the show and investigating their schedules. We want the best partner and the best property that will work on radio and TV in terms of interactivity and cross-promotion. We hope to have a deal in place in time to launch the show this year. We want to make Hit 40 UK one of the UK's biggest entertainment brands".
Of course the Hit 40 UK's predecessors The Network Chart and The Pepsi Chart both had TV incarnations (the former had The Roxy on ITV back in the eighties, the latter a Channel 5 show in the late nineties). Both of these were successful on launch but failed to maintain momentum lacking the heritage of the BBC's flagship pop show.