They are just banking on the success on Downton Abbey and Sherlock.

What you did there… I see it.

Isn't Downton Abbey ITV their main competitor?

Didn't the BBC and HBO also did one starring Benedict Cumberbatch called Parade's End and Five Day with David Oyelowo of Spooks and Selma fame? I also think they did origanal movies shown similtaniously in their respective channels.

It was a great show unfortunately because the show was too expensive it nearly bankrupted both networks. They only did second season because they sighed for two seasons and for obvious reasons did resign. They did promise to make a movie but it's in "development hell."