Big Brother 'to be scrapped'
Big Brother is to be scrapped by Channel 4 after this year's show proved a ratings disaster, it has been claimed.
This year's series, the tenth so far, has attracted an average of just 2 million viewers, from a high of eight million only a few years ago.
According to reports an announcement from Channel 4 is expected as early as Friday, although the 11th series is likely to still be screened.
A source told the Sun: "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?"
One final series will be screened, due to the ÂĢ180m contract between Channel 4 and makers Endemol. Producers promised the most diverse contestants in the show's history for the tenth series, but the show has failed to grab viewers' attention.
The show made stars of former contestants, including the late Jade Goody, and Chantelle Houghton. But in more recent years former contestants quickly faded from public view.
Earlier this year Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, rejected nearly 5,000 complaints about alleged bullying and voting problems on the last series of Big Brother.
Most of the complaints related to concerns that aggressive and intimidating behaviour by housemates was not dealt with appropriately by Channel 4.
Ofcom ruled the broadcaster had responded appropriately in dealing with the issue, but said it should be seen to deal with conflict on the programme quickly in future.
source
Big Brother is to be scrapped by Channel 4 after this year's show proved a ratings disaster, it has been claimed.
This year's series, the tenth so far, has attracted an average of just 2 million viewers, from a high of eight million only a few years ago.
According to reports an announcement from Channel 4 is expected as early as Friday, although the 11th series is likely to still be screened.
A source told the Sun: "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?"
One final series will be screened, due to the ÂĢ180m contract between Channel 4 and makers Endemol. Producers promised the most diverse contestants in the show's history for the tenth series, but the show has failed to grab viewers' attention.
The show made stars of former contestants, including the late Jade Goody, and Chantelle Houghton. But in more recent years former contestants quickly faded from public view.
Earlier this year Ofcom, the broadcasting watchdog, rejected nearly 5,000 complaints about alleged bullying and voting problems on the last series of Big Brother.
Most of the complaints related to concerns that aggressive and intimidating behaviour by housemates was not dealt with appropriately by Channel 4.
Ofcom ruled the broadcaster had responded appropriately in dealing with the issue, but said it should be seen to deal with conflict on the programme quickly in future.
source
