BB FANS

For the first time, the show will not be streamed live from the house in Elstree, Herts. An insider said: “It is a cost-cutting measure.”

This is the end of BB as we know it. We always got the editors veiw of the show but the people who could watch the live feed kept the powers that be in check. Now we will be getting fed selected positve/negitive peices to keep the Ch4 9pm veiwers and the media happy.

I can understand why Channel 4 are considering dropping Big Brother, but it does pose some interesting questions.

What are Channel 4/E4 going to put in its place over the summer schedules that will cost less, and bring in more revenue?

If Channel 4 are not renewing the contract with Endemol, presumably that will open the bidding for other channels. Bearing in mind that there is a fan-base out there, this could be a great deal for one of the digital channels to consider - we may even perhaps see the creation of a BB Channel - something that I recall was muted some years ago.

Of course, this could all be a red herring as clearly BB variations do exist, and perhaps we could be looking at one of these taking over in the summer of 2011 - perhaps Secret Story, which seems to have done quite well in France over the last couple of years, and is set for a third series.

Only those at Channel 4 and Endemol know the full story - but it would seem to be a very strange business decision to send such a reliable "cash-cow" out to pasture during a time when money is tight.

Endemol should sell BB to Living or Sky1 because Ch4 can not afford to broadcast BB anymore. Why I don not understand because it has been their highest rating show for the last 9 yars.

Some good points there Alan.

Hmm - I am starting to get the impression that all this is posturing before negotiations start. Clearly Channel 4 do not want to look too keen, otherwise the price might go up. On the other hand they don't want to trash the show, or Endemol may start talking to other channels.

I was at the Endemol offices yesterday (was taking part in a documentary about BB that's due to be screened in the week leading up to the launch), and I got the distinct impression that this is what may happen.

I pretty much had it confirmed that BB10 will be the last BB "as we know it" with C4, as it's looking very possible that BB11 will be a "BB Allstars" type-programme.

Sky are looking for a flag-ship show apparently, and a lot of people believe that it will be Big Brother.

One question I was asked yesterday, by an Endemol employee:
"So where has Big Brother gone wrong?"

From my point of view, you only have to look to the audition process. A return to selecting a group of diverse, and reasonably outgoing people was the key to the success of the earlier series'.

Trying to force conflict by selecting more outrageous characters, and bringing in wannabes that are just interested in boosting their z-list credentials, has destroyed any real spontaneity with HM's instead seeking ways to steal airtime from each other, and doing their best to position themselves for magazine deals.

If I had control of future productions, my first directive would be that if any candidate in the final stages is registered with a management agency, has previously attended an audition for x-factor or BGT, or is part of a band etc, then they be dropped from the list.

....oh, and anyone who has been "on the Ant & Dec"!!!

Yes I would agree with that Alan and also the contestants are now more wise as to what may happen, which spoils it for viewers and also the way the shows are edited sometimes annoys viewers.

The trouble is, they can't win. If they pick entertaining housemates, the viewers vote them out because they are usually not very nice people or too full of themselves, then people complain it is boring.

I actually enjoyed the Celebrity Hijack housemates. I think most of them were picked by the production team for being talented, rather than them applying themselves, and because they were naturally talented, it made it even more entertaining. On the whole, they were nice people as well - probably not the sort who would normally apply to go on Big Brother.

I would certainly agree about the Celebrity Hijack housemates. It was a much better balance, and they just went with the flow of what was thrown at them.

I have said this so many times over the years. There is just so many times you can watch a house full of people just going about there every day lives. They need to completely reinvent the show like the Americans did with their Big Brother.



D