Channel 4 to axe Big Brother
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Update: Channel’s 4’s controversial Big Brother series is to be axed after its outing next year, the broadcaster confirms.
Jade Goody
The show has been one of the channel’s main revenue raisers since it launched in 2000 and the show’s current sponsor is Lucozade.
Viewing figures have been steadily dropping over the years, although still high enough to attract advertisers keen to reach the show’s young demographic. The current series was capturing an average audience of two million throughout July.
The finale of last year’ show peaked with 5.3 million viewers but this year’s final show is expected to produce far lower viewing figures.
Channel 4’s £180 million deal with Big Brother producer Endemol finishes after the 11th series, scheduled for next year.
Show sponsors overt the years have included Virgin Media, Talk Talk and Carphone Warehouse. The controversy over apparent racist remarks by Jade Goody in 2006 on Celebrity Big Brother saw Carphone Warehouse end its £3 million sponsorship deal.
Readers' comments (2)
Anonymous | Fri, 28 Aug 2009 12:57 pm
I believe there is nothing wrong with the Big Brother brand it still is relatively strong compared to other reality TV brands.
I think that Channel 4 have over milked the brand by extending it for up to three months. A shorter sweeter more dramatic series would see an uplift in figures and it is a very important demographic that tracks its progress.
It would be interesting to know what its Website visitor figures are like as opposed to the TV viewing figures. Are its demographic just becoming uninterested or are they getting their news from elsewhere.
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Deborah Collier | Wed, 2 Sep 2009 3:16 pm
I'm so happy. Would be good to get a wider variety of programms in its place. Big Brother like many products has a shelf life. Its gone through its lifecycle of infancy to old age. Still 11 series is pretty good going. Will be interesting to see what great shows broadcasters can come up with to replace it.
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