‘Big Brother’ will not be returning to screens "in its current form".
The hit Channel 5 reality show – which originally broadcast on Channel 4 from its inception in 2000 until 2011 – is set to come to an end with its current contract with the broadcaster this year, and Channel 5’s director of programming Ben Frow has revealed that whilst a decision on the show’s fate has still not been decided, the format will definitely change if it is to continue at all.
According to Broadcast, Ben said a deal is yet to be agreed upon, but insisted that the show would not return to the channel "in its current form".
He also said the broadcaster would "not be spending the same amount of money," on the show – although it wasn’t revealed whether the budget on a reformed show would be higher or lower – before adding: "The ball is in Endemol Shine’s court."
The shaky future of the reality show – which has been steadily dropping in ratings but is still a hit with viewers – comes as its spin-off show ‘Big Brother’s Bit On The Side’ was axed in order to shake up the series.
Last month, the show’s host Emma Willis spoke of her concern for the show’s longevity.
She said: "I don’t know, we’re all waiting. I think they’re in negotiations at the minute. I’d hate to see it disappear. Fingers crossed we have a fantastic summer series and the channel want to keep it."
Emma, 42, took over the hosting reigns from Davina McCall at the same time the programme switched from Channel 4 to 5 in 2011.
At the moment, ‘Big Brother’ produces three series a year, with one regular version in the summer, and two celebrity editions.
Earlier this year, the first of 2018’s ‘Celebrity Big Brothers’ saw drag queen Courtney Act crowned the winner, in a series which was themed around the Year of the Women, in homage to the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.
Big Brother’s uncertain future
