Viewers reacted with both delight and bafflement as ITV was shut down for an hour, with some joking the blackout was “the best thing” they had ever seen on the channel.
As part of a national sports day event called I Am Team GB, ITV encouraged viewers at home to get off their sofa and do some exercise instead of watching television.
Great and brave idea #ITV , one day I won't be able to #run but today isn't that day! @UKRunChat #plantpower pic.twitter.com/JHNIVz1kit
— TonyMacarone (@macarone_tony) August 27, 2016
Double Olympic champion gymnast Max Whitlock was on hand to pull the lever to switch off all ITV channels in a clip aired just before programming stopped.
Many Britons took up the challenge, tweeting their activities during the hour.
One sports fan revealed he was going for a run, writing on the social networking site: “Great and brave idea #ITV , one day I won’t be able to #run but today isn’t that day!”
Another revealed she had just been for a “45-minute spin class”, adding “good for @itv, let’s get moving in whatever way we can”.
Plenty of people shared pictures from their exercise-filled hours, but many just made fun of the whole scheme.
Some joked ITV’s static screen was top viewing, while some refused to go out and get moving.
The best thing I've ever seen on itv #itv pic.twitter.com/E7dh7KZYa1
— Kerry Weston (Owen) (@kerrylowen) August 27, 2016
So #ITV have is turned off? To make us go do some sport?? ð²ð²ðð It's not the old days wi 3 Channels?? There's 333 now?? #IAmTeamCouchPotato
— Yorkshire Fox (@MeandMishite) August 27, 2016
#ITV off air for an hour to encourage us to take up sport. Used the time to pop down to Bargain Booze ð
— Nul Points (@nulpointsnet) August 27, 2016
“The best thing I’ve ever seen on ITV,” one Twitter user wrote, and another added: “I’m more likely to get out and run when ITV shows programmes.”
Another viewer said they would merely choose another channel, adding: “ITV shutting down for an hour to encourage me to exercise is going to be a big workout for my thumb on the remote.”
After returning home from Rio with their biggest medals haul in 108 years, many members of Team GB used the event to join members of the public at sporting activities across the country.
Today's ITV switch off really worked at getting me up and out of bed… #IAmTeamGB pic.twitter.com/s2uyClstYM
— Lauren Andrews (@landrews2702) August 27, 2016
I'm more likely to get out and run when #itv show programs
— Guillaume (@parttimesoldier) August 27, 2016
Was right looking forward to corrie omnibus. Now got to wait another hour for it … #IAmTeamGB #itv
— Official Li@m Lo@kes (@LLoakes86) August 27, 2016
Pretty sure nobody is going to be doing sport & they'll just turn over to the next channel ð #itv
— Sophie Bissell (@BophieSissell) August 27, 2016
Does #ITV really think people will go out and exercise just because they're off air for an hour? There. Are. Other. Channels.
— Isla (@IslaHammon) August 27, 2016
Over the bank holiday weekend, hundreds of sports venues and clubs are opening their doors free of charge as part of a collaboration between the National Lottery and ITV.
Max, who joined members of the public for some handball at the Copper Box Arena in London’s Olympic Park, said: “I first started gymnastics in Hemel Hempstead at Sapphire School of Gymnastics.
“Knowing how friendly and life-changing clubs like this can be, I’d encourage everyone to get involved in I Am Team GB – the nation’s biggest-ever sports day.”
Soap enthusiasts were also able to head to the Coronation Street set in Manchester, where Olympic champion cyclist Elinor Barker was taking part in an event on the cobbles.
Other Olympians joining in include rowers Karen Bennett, Katie Greves and Helen Glover, cox Zoe de Toledo, swimmer Jazz Carlin, trampolinist Bryony Page and gymnast Amy Tinkler.
Just finished 45min spin class, phew! Good for @itv let's get moving in whatever way we can. #IAmTeamGB pic.twitter.com/zuCZZcr3mP
— Dawn Langley (@dawn_langley) August 27, 2016
This is it @ITV! #ITV #IAmTeamGB & outside and getting active! pic.twitter.com/c4sjf7GR6M
— Kate Percy (@gofasterkate) August 27, 2016
#IAmTeamGB @TeamGB Had a great morning at the Poole Park Run. Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragementð¬ð§ pic.twitter.com/uEII7P2wBV
— Izzy Songhurst (@IzzySonghurst) August 27, 2016
This lady is 8 months pregnant and completed the 5k @parkrun … IF SHE CAN, SO CAN YOU!! #iminspired #IAmTeamGB pic.twitter.com/oN0jlxfJnW
— Lily Owsley (@LilyOwsley) August 27, 2016
Getting fit and active in Bath this morning #IAmTeamGB @itv come on down.
A photo posted by Lydia bright (@lydiabright) on
Off to Colchester to get beaten up by @LindaRobson58 hahaha #IAmTeamGB @CulverSquare @England_Boxing ðð¼ pic.twitter.com/aD45q7riYl
— Stacey Solomon (@StaceySolomon) August 27, 2016
Showing some support for those running @Gpowderparkrun this morning ð @TeamGB @TNLUK @ITV #IAmTeamGB pic.twitter.com/6hf19bWp6k
— Joe Clarke (@joeclarkek1) August 27, 2016
#IAmTeamGB running up hills in la Santa pic.twitter.com/8mxaNOOp2R
— Louise Rudd (@LuluRudd) August 27, 2016
