Big Brother Boots Gervais Off Podcast Top Spot

Channel 4 Radio’s official Big Brother podcast has replaced comedy king Ricky Gervais’ podcast as the number one download on the iTunes chart.

The housemates’ antics on Big Brother FM earlier this week were a massive hit with audiences, and the weekly catch-up service hosted on the Channel 4 Radio website generated the highest number of downloads in the UK from Big Brother fans desperate to keep on top of the action.

Channel 4 Radio’s Official Big Brother Podcast features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with the cast as well as a chance to win a pair of eviction night tickets every week. The podcast is available as a download every Monday, and recaps the previous week’s action from the house. This month listeners have also been offered the chance to win the opportunity to become a Big Brother podcast reporter.

The podcasts have been broadcasting regularly since 3 July, with the success of the official Big Brother podcast following the recent launch of Channel 4 Radio, which saw the channel bring its innovative approach to television into the world of radio (see C4 Makes History With Radio Launch).

Nathalie Schwarz, Channel 4 director of radio, said: “Reaching the number one spot on the iTunes chart is great news for Channel 4. The podcast service offers fans the opportunity to access even more exclusive content than ever before, and allows them the freedom to catch up with news from the Big Brother house whenever and wherever it suits them.”

Angela Jain, Channel 4’s commissioning editor, factual entertainment, said: “Beating Ricky Gervais is truly a feat and its proof positive that Big Brother still has the ability to engage viewers in new and interesting ways.”

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com