Channel 5 confirmed that they will not be taking on Big Brother for another series.
BB moved across from Channel 4 in 2011, although the viewing figures have been on a consistent decline for more than 10 years.
Series such as Love Island are the go-to formats for reality TV and many broadcasters consider Big Brother deadwood.
However, with a cash injection, glossy makeover and alterations to the format, could we see a bigger and better than ever Big Brother?
The Decline of Big Brother
When Big Brother first launched, in July 2000, viewing figures were phenomenal.
Season 1 averaged 4.5 million viewers and the figures hovered around this number for five straight series. Simply put, Big Brother was the only reality TV show that people watched in the early noughties.
However, the numbers gradually started to decline, falling from 3.8 million average viewers in 2007 to 3.1 million in 2010.
Channel 4 cut their losses, and rightfully so, as the decline of BB took another shocking plunge.
From 2011 to 2018, Channel 5 have had an average viewership of 1.5 million per season, which is less than a third of the number of viewers from when the show launched in 2000.
Cutting their ties with BB is the logical move at this point.
The End of Big Brother?
Channel 5 confirmed that they will not be renewing their contract with Big Brother, ending their seven-year relationship with the series.
However, it’s believed that Big Brother is hopeful that another broadcaster will pick them up, having optimistically applied to renew their lease on the Big Brother house earlier this year.
The latest rumour is that BB will switch from terrestrial TV to a modern online platform…
Big Brother on Netflix?
As reported by The Sun, streaming giants Netflix are looking at the option to bring Big Brother onto their huge TV and movie roster.
An insider told the publication that Endemol, who own the Big Brother format, will sit down to discuss a deal:
Netflix could be the saviours of Big Brother — the news fans have wanted to hear since Channel 5 made the announcement.
Of course it’s still early days. Streaming sites have a lot of money so it’s an option they’re looking at,” they continued.
Despite this, ITV have always remained the front-runners to take on Big Brother for another new series.
Either way, it looks like there is enough interested to keep BB running for a little longer!