UK Broadcaster Shuts for Hour, Tells Viewers to Exercise

Twitter, predictably, had a field day
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2016 5:57 AM CDT
UK Broadcaster Shuts for Hour, Tells Viewers to Exercise
This 2013 file photo shows the new set of long running British soap opera Coronation Street in Manchester, England. Viewers of ITV missed out on an episode when the broadcaster shut down for an hour Saturday and encouraged viewers to go exercise.   (AP Photo/Jon Super, File)

One of Britain's leading broadcasters blacked out its programs for an hour in hopes of spurring viewers to get some exercise, reports the AP. ITV shut down broadcasts on several of its channels Saturday morning as part of its effort to entice UK citizens to sports clubs, which are being opened for free this weekend as part of a national event called "I Am Team GB." Many viewers lauded ITV's challenge to couch potatoes, describing on social media the activities they'd been inspired to do. Tweeted one: "Great and brave idea #ITV, one day I won't be able to #run but today isn't that day!"

Others, predictably, stuck to their sofas and poked fun at the gesture, describing the blank screens as the best entertainment they'd ever seen on ITV. One viewer said his remote-control thumb had a good workout. ITV is sponsoring the weekend's sports-promotion activities alongside the National Lottery. Viewers missed out on Murder, She Wrote and Coronation Street, notes the Telegraph. (More ITV stories.)

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