Rivals is a 1988 novel by English author Jilly Cooper. It is the second novel of the Rutshire Chronicles, a series of books set in the fictional English county of Rutshire. It was published as Players in the US. The novel is based on the competition for an independent television franchise in the Cotswolds. The incumbent franchisee is a company called Corinium Television, led by executive Tony Baddingham. A rival production company is established by Baddingham's former employee Declan O'Hara and Baddingham's nemesis Rupert Campbell-Black. They ultimately win the franchise, and Rupert falls in love with Declan's daughter Taggie. Upon its release Cooper was accused of libel by Conservative councillor Bill Bullingham, which led to a name change to Baddingham in the paperback first edition.
Adaptations (1)
Rivals was adapted into a 2024 television series.
Rivals2024 · television series · IMDb ↗IMDb7.9It is 1986 and Britain is booming. "Rivals" dives headfirst into the cutthroat world of TV where hair-dos are big and ambitions are even bigger. Deals are brokered in boardrooms, as well as bedrooms. Nobody can be sure who will come out on top. With every man and woman out only for themselves, can true love really blossom?
