Big Brother and Footballers’ Wives To Return

Headline-grabbing shows Footballers’ Wives and Big Brother are set for further appearances on UK screens, following announcements by ITV and Channel 4.

The first series of ITV1 drama Footballers’ Wives aired earlier this year, gaining interest from both the public and the press. The series has since been sold around the world to territories including Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, and ITV has announced that it has re-commissioned the series from Shed Productions.

Nick Elliott, ITV controller of drama, said: “Footballers’ Wives go off to a great start…We will now build on its audacity and timeliness to develop its place in our schedules.”

Also set for at least three returns is reality gameshow Big Brother, thanks to a deal signed by 4 Ventures, the holding company for Channel 4’s commercial businesses and services, with Endemol UK, for the rights to the show to the end of 2005.

The deal includes terrestrial TV, pay and interactive TV and internet rights, as well as other media including books, mobile telephony, videos and CDs. It will see Endemol Entertainment UK production arm Endemol UK Productions continue to produce the series, while Endemol’s 50% owned subsidiary, Victoria Real, will build this year’s website.

Gerry Bastable, managing director of 4 Ventures’ Digital Services Group, who negotiated the deal on behalf of Channel 4, said: “Big Brother has enjoyed phenomenal success across all platforms…we aim to repeat and build on these successes in the next four years.”

Both the third series of Big Brother and filming of the next series of Footballers’ Wives will begin in early summer.

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.co.uk

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