Big Brother axed by skint Channel 4?
Thursday, 18th September 2008
It has been revealed that Channel 4 are going to be so strapped for cash over the next five years that they may decide to ditch our beloved Big Brother.
Channel 4 is reportedly heading into a funding crisis and needs to make big savings - leaving the marathon reality show's future hanging in the balance.
Ofcom say the TV station could run up annual debts of around £100million over the next five years, with talks of TV licence cash possibly being used to keep the channel afloat.
But big reductions in programme spend looks on the cards, meaning next summer's tenth series of Big Brother may suffer the consequences.
Although a hit with us Big Brother addicts, the show hasn't actually done itself any favours in recent times, being dogged by racism, bullying, fighting, phone vote mix-ups and death threats from Alexandra De-Gale ("I'm so strong, remember I told you!").
And ratings haven't exactly gone through the roof either, with a steady decline year-on-year.
Gloomy future
The show is contracted to run until 2010 but Ofcom boss Ed Richards forecast a gloomy future for Channel 4, saying: “To break even, Channel 4 would need to cut its investment in public service content year-on-year to 2012.
“We have subjected these projections to close scrutiny and, while we are not as pessimistic as Channel 4, we do believe this annual deficit could amount to between £60m and £100m by 2012.”
Meanwhile Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan said the funding crisis was a “pressing priority”.
Are you worried? Please leave your comments below telling us what you'd do with your summer without Big Brother.
Photo: Channel 4
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