The Sun has claimed that Channel 4 is set to axe Big Brother due to the lower ratings that this year’s series has recieved.
A ‘telly insider’ has supposedly told the tabloid that the news will be confirmed with an official announcement as soon as Friday. They quote the source as saying: “The reality is people are bored with it.
“Even at Channel 4 the vibe among staff is that if you like Big Brother you’re not cool.
“If the people commissioning the show don’t think it’s cool, what hope is there?”
An eleventh series will air next summer, as well as another Celebrity Big Brother in January, as part of the broadcaster’s current contract with makers Endemol, reported to be worth £180million.
The show begun in 2000, with viewing figures peaking during the third series in 2002. However, they have declined steadily since 2007, with Big Brother 10 currently averaging 2.2million in overnight ratings.
According to the paper, ‘insiders’ have accused show bosses of watering it down too much to avoid controversy after the ‘race row’ in the fifth Celebrity series.
Their source added: “The truth is nobody’s talking about Big Brother any more.”
However, BB10’s executive producer Sharon Powers recently said that Channel 4 are ‘happy’ with BB. Endemol UK’s chief executive Tim Hincks has also expressed confidence in the show’s future.
Channel 4 are yet to confirm or deny the news.
Stick with bbspy…
