Big Brother is set to stay on British screens until at least 2008, even if ratings fall for the main Channel 4 show, according to the C4 executive in charge of it, write Leigh Holmwood and Paul Revoir.
C4 head of cross-platform development Peter Grimsdale said that even though the Endemol reality show, which begins its fourth run on 23 May, was only half way through a four-year contract it was almost certain to be renewed."At this stage it is good for another two or three years beyond the current four-year deal. It has become a fixture in the nation's calendar and has become an event in people's lives," Grimsdale told Broadcast. He added that even if viewing figures started to fall, the series would still be a worthwhile property as it allowed digital station E4 to provide round-the-clock live streaming from the Big Brother house.C4 has big plans for the format and is in discussions with Endemol over launching a teenage version of Big Brother in time for Christmas.The project is coming out of 4Learning, which focuses on educational programmes for 16 to 19-year-olds. Any series would have to be subject to stricter editorial controls than the existing format because it involves children.