The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing look set to tread on each other's toes like never before with the longest clash yet - at one hour and 20 minutes.
Proposed TV schedule details reveal the two programmes will extend the overlap even further when they are screened on October 10, as The X Factor airs live for the first time this series.
BBC1's Strictly is set to start at 7.10pm and continue until 9.20pm while The X Factor will be a two-hour marathon starting at 8pm.
But the outline schedules will not be finalised until Wednesday.
The clashes have upset fans who have been torn between the two shows and even BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons has cast doubt on the wisdom of the scheduling.
Simon Cowell also asked for the BBC to think again about the timing of its show.
But the BBC has said Strictly's place in the schedule is limited by the need to screen family drama Merlin early in the evening and contractual obligations over the positioning of Match Of The Day.
The show has also had to be extended this year after a separate results show on Sunday was dropped.
The October 10 overlap would be five minutes longer than the October 3 editions of the programmes.
© Press Association