Big Brother could move to rival channel or streaming service after C5 axe

There are “future possibilities” for more series of Big Brother on UK television, production company Endemol Shine has said.

The next series of the reality show will be the last to air on Channel 5 but the company has said this now opens up a “new chapter” for the show, which aired on Channel 4 for 11 years between 2000 and 2010.

At the time Channel 4 said it was felt the money was better spent on investing in “new, local and independent programmes and on importing exciting new series from the USA”.

Channel 5 began broadcasting the series in 2011 but now it is possible that a rival broadcaster or streaming service could pick up the rights to the format.

The finale of the latest series of the celebrity version, which was won by Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, attracted 1.6 million viewers.

A statement from Endemol Shine said: “We are incredibly proud of Big Brother which has consistently been the highest rated show for Channel 5 over the past seven years, with the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother being the channel’s highest rating show of the year, growing its audience year on year by 17% and tripling the channel’s slot average for 16-24s.”

It added: “Big Brother continues to be a global phenomenon. The UK is one of 20 countries where the show will air in 2018, including the US where Celebrity Big Brother was recently renewed, four different versions in India and last month’s Celebrity Big Brother in Germany which saw a rise of 85% series on series.

“Whilst disappointed not to reach an agreement with Channel 5, the decision opens up a new chapter and we are excited about future possibilities for Big Brother in the UK.”

It has been reported that the show could be a viable option for UKTV, which owns channels including Dave, Gold and Alibi, while Netflix is also reportedly looking for its own reality show format.