|
Big Brother Axed In Australia
Australia's Network Ten has today confirmed that Big Brother is to be axed after eight years on the air.
The current series, which finishes on July 21, will be the last.
In a statement issued today, Ten's chief programming officer, David Mott, confirmed the speculation which emerged on a Big Brother-related internet website yesterday.
"After eight successful seasons and 1,316 episodes, Ten today announced that Big Brother will not be returning in 2009.
"The 2008 season finale will air on Monday 21 July."
Mott also said the series was "ending on a high" despite flagging viewer numbers, and persistent questions by fans over the selection of radio personalities Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O to host the 2008 series.
They replaced Gretel Killeen, who had hosted the show since the first episode.
"Big Brother is the undisputed grand-daddy of modern, commercial reality television in Australia," Mott also said. "Today's reality dramas have all, on some level, been inspired by Big Brother. We are immensely proud of the show and the incredible success it has enjoyed since premiering in 2001.
"We're ending the season on a high, largely thanks to the talents of Kyle and Jackie O, who have presented yet another successful season."
Sandilands and Jackie O had come under fire from hundreds of fans on Big Brother forums and websites, with many calling for Killeen to be reinstated.
Speculation of the show's axeing started late yesterday on the internet website, Behind Big Brother.
The ratings for Big Brother have dwindled this year, although the introduction last week of international sex symbol Pamela Anderson gave it its best results of the season.
waveguide.co.uk
|
