Maybe for good too
BBonlineQuote:
For an insider told Big Brother Online this morning: "Sadly for fans of the show, talks between Endemol and Five have come to nothing".
It is thought that the two parties were unable to agree financial terms, with the broadcaster hoping to licence the show – viewing figures for-which have been in decline for some time – for a lot less money than the programme-maker was able to accept.
Channel 5's new owner, mega-rich media mogul Richard Desmond, initially expressed an interest in licensing the show when he bought Five for £103.5 million in July 2010. However, all the subsequent talk about the likelihood of the Daily Star owner agreeing to a quick deal, has been pure speculation.
Over the years, Big Brother has been accused of being too dull, too controversial, too long, not strict enough or not fun enough. It has also faced criticism more recently for the wannabe/ freakish contestants, the lack of live streaming, the rubbish tasks, for not providing contestants with enough booze, for the entity being too soft on the housemates and the producers not giving fans what they want.
Fans were looking forward to a rejuvenated format on Channel 5 next year, although frankly it doesn't look like Desmond, who could clearly afford the show if he really wanted/ valued it, is going to pop out-of a cake at tonight's Finale and declare himself the saviour of Big Brother.
That said, even though Channel 4 have given the show a funeral and written R.I.P Big Brother on a fake tombstone, fans should never say never.
We say that because although Endemol has declined to comment, a spokesperson for Mr. Desmond told us today: "Right from the start, when he took over Five, Richard Desmond made it clear that Big Brother was on his shopping list".
"I cannot deny or confirm that talks between the relevant parties have ended, so it remains a case of 'wait and see'."
