Channel 4 to axe Big Brother: Viewing Figure Analysis

Channel 4 has confirmed that it will not be renewing its Big Brother deal with producer Endemol when it expires next year.

The broadcaster will air the 11th and final series of the fly-on-the-wall reality show next summer, as well as another series of Celebrity Big Brother in January, before cutting ties with the programme.

Channel 4 is locked into a £180 million three-year deal with Endemol but has struggled to generate the hype and revenues associated with earlier series, such as the Jade Goody year in 2002, which pulled in audiences of up to 8 million and around £88 million of revenue – of which £68 million was profit.

However, audiences and advertising revenues have dropped significantly since then, particularly since the controversial Celebrity Big Brother series in 2007, which became overshadowed by the Shilpa Shetty race row.

The current series has seen viewing figures decline by as much as 30% on last year, with fewer than one million viewers tuning in at one point, making it the least watched of any of the 10 seasons.

Big Brother was axed in Australia last year but has enjoyed an unexpected ratings boost in the US this summer.

The show isn’t expected to be axed from UK screens, with another broadcaster expected to gain rights to the programme from Endemol once its Channel 4 contract is up.