11:30AM, Aug 26, 2009
It looks like the rumours are true.
Channel 4 has confirmed it's decision to scrap Big Brother after a final series in 2011.
The channel will fulfil it's obligation to broadcast a series of Celebrity Big Brother, as well as the regular series next year, but these will be the last on the network.
The news comes as no surprise after a ratings slump for the current, 10th, series of the show. This year's series has seen an average of only two million viewers, compared with five million just a few years ago.
But in a statement today, Director of Television Kevin Lygo said the decision not to recommission the series was dictated by creative considerations rather than commercial ones, and added that the programme has reached a "natural end".
“Big Brother is still profitable despite its reduced popularity and there could have been the option to renew it on more favourable terms," said Kevin. "That’s what a purely commercial broadcaster would have done, but Channel 4 has a public remit to champion new forms of creativity.
"That remit to push the boundaries has been an essential part of the weird chemistry behind Big Brother’s success, but it’s time to move on.”
But Channel 4's announcement doesn't necessarily mean the end of the reality show. Tim Hincks, head of Big Brother production company Endemol UK, hinted that they could be willing to work with another broadcaster.
"Ever since series three, people have said the format’s about to die," Tim told The Guardian. "Will Big Brother continue to be one of the prime youth-focused content brands? Yes, it will, both in the UK and around the world.
"The long-term health of Big Brother is strong. I really believe that. It's a famous brand, the format works, that's obvious.
"One thing even its fiercest critics will accept is that we revolutionised TV with them. You may not think it's a good thing but it changed the way we make TV."
Meanwhile, long-time presenter Davina McCall has signed up to front a new reality show for Sky1.
Find out when Big Brother is on TV.
