No 'Celeb Big Brother' on C4 in 2008

[Mentalist]

Channel 4 head of programmes Julian Bellamy has confirmed that there will be no Celebrity Big Brother in 2008.

Bellamy cited a process of "creative renewal" as the reason behind the decision, noting that it will free up close to 30 hours of 9pm programming for "the new and the exciting". He characterised the decision as being of a "public service" nature in order to make room for "genuinely educational and informative television in the guise of entertainment."

"If we wanted to take the easy path we'd recommission all of these shows and we'd probably do two series of Celebrity Big Brother if ratings were all we were after. These are the decisions of a public service broadcaster in search of the new and the exciting."

Channel 4 is currently in discussions with Endemol regarding an "experimental" version of Big Brother for E4 in January.

Kevin Lygo, the channel's director of television and content told DS that it was time to "rest" Big Brother on Channel 4 in between the summer series in order "to build anticipation."

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a73562/no-celeb-big-brother-on-c4-in-2008.html


Well, that's that then.

 

[whisky]

Someone should tell Davina then, she was talking about it happening just this morning on Chris Moyles show.

 

[Fuddlemiff]

While I respect the decision to spend their recourses on lots of other programs that could go out in prime time during those weeks, CBB is better in some ways than the normal one, so it'll be really disappointing if it doesn't get commissioned.

 

[whisky]

Sounds to me like CBB is an E4 only show.

 

[CaptainWacky]

Experimental version = ALLSTARS WITH VICTOR AND JONTY!?

 

[Fuddlemiff]

But I get a crappy picture on E4.