Putting the highlights show on at Stupid-O'Clock is not going to help any. 

The final ever series of Big Brother launched last night to its lowest ever audience.

Fewer than a million viewers tuned in to see the start of Big Brother 2018, hours after Channel 5 confirmed it was dropping the series.

An average audience of 900,000 watched between 9PM and 11:05PM.

It was down 400,000 viewers on 2017's series, which had started with 1.3 million viewers in June against Love Island.

Straight after, 400,000 viewers stuck around for Bit On The Side.

Big Brother final ratings

Since move to Channel 5

BB12/2011 2.6 million (C5+1 not on air)
BB13/2012 2.7 million
BB14/2013 2.1 million
BB15/2014 2.1 million
BB16/2015 1.8 million
BB17/2016 1.5 million
BB18/2017 1.3 million
BB19/2018: 0.9 million

Channel 5 confirmed yesterday morning that it had axed both Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brotherafter seven years. The show started on the channel in 2011 after a decade on Channel 4, but won't be back after 2018.

In a statement, Channel 5 said: "The forthcoming series of Big Brother will be the last - of either celebrity or civilian versions - on Channel 5. We’d like to thank Endemol and all of the production team who have worked tirelessly to make the show a success.

"We’d also like to thank our brilliant presenters - Emma on Big Brother and Rylan from Bit on the Side - for their consummate professionalism, Marcus, the voice of Big Brother and all of the housemates who have created so many memorable moments.

"Most importantly, we’d like to thank fans of the show for their support over the last seven years. We look forward to giving the final series a brilliant send-off."

Although Big Brother won't be back on Channel 5, there's potential for another channel switch like in 2011.

Production company Endemol said in their own statement: "Whilst disappointed not to reach an agreement with Channel 5 the decision opens up a new chapter and we are excited about future possibilities for Big Brother in the UK."

For now, Big Brother continues Sunday-Friday nights at 10PM on Channel 5.