ITV Bid Unlikely - as the show is too expensive

[Jarrod]

A bid for the rights of Big Brother from ITV is unlikely – as the price for the show is too high

ITV Executives have been weighing up the possibility of snatching Big Brother from Channel 5 to boost programming across its expanding portfolio of channels.

According to The Guardian, Big Brother could be used to give new reality channel, ITVBe a major boost against other networks. It has even been discussed that there is a possibility of splitting up Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, and showing them on different channels.

However, it is thought that a bid for the show will be unlikely as the costs for the show for a year are around £20 Million.

“It has been discussed, these thing are, it is not a completely ridiculous idea,” said one source. “But it is quite expensive to run on digital channels, I can’t see it happening.” However, one media executive said the plan is ‘“still boiling” and no solid decision had been taken.

ITV declined to comment. If ITV did purchase Big Brother, it would mark the second time the reality show has moved, after Channel 5 purchased the rights to the format in 2011 following Channel 4′s decision to axe it.

Meanwhile, Big Brother: Power Trip continues on Channel 5 tonight.

http://bigbrother247.co.uk/day-5-big-brother-bid-from-itv-unlikely/

[Loukas]

This article goes into a little more detail..

ITV executives have weighed the merits of snatching Big Brother from Channel 5 – the broadcaster’s latest two-year deal expires at the end of the year – to boost programming across its expanding portfolio of channels.

The huge success of ITV2, the biggest digital channel in the UK, has led ITV to launch a spin-off channel with a core focus on reality and non-scripted shows.

The female-focused channel, called ITVBe, will become the home of shows including The Only Way is Essex and Real Housewives.

Big Brother, and its celebrity stablemate, could be used to give newcomer ITVBe a major boost against rival channels. Or Big Brother and CBB could be split across channels.

It is thought that discussions at ITV are unlikely to progress to a bid for Big Brother, because the rights remain at a level of about £20m per year.

“It has been discussed, these thing are, it is not a completely ridiculous idea,” said one source. “But it is quite expensive to run on digital channels, I can’t see it happening.” However, one media executive said the plan is ‘“still boiling” and no solid decision had been taken.

ITV declined to comment.

ITV has previously been named as a potential bidder for Big Brother – albeit back in 2006 when the show was on Channel 4 – while ITV2, Living and Sky1 have also previously been highlighted as channels with a good potential content fit.

Big Brother’s popularity may have waned in recent years – ratings peaked in 2002 when 9.2 million tuned in to see Kate Lawler win – but it retains a loyal fan base of several million young viewers, a key demographic for advertisers.

In 2011, Richard Desmond struck a deal to take over the franchise after a decade on Channel 4, with the enduring popularity of Big Brother a critical factor in the turnaround of heavily loss-making Channel 5.

While the threat of ITV snatching the rights looks unlikely, Viacom, the new US owner of Channel 5, will be mindful of the need to shore up key programming deals to maintain profitability.

As well as Big Brother, whose rights are handled by Endemol production subsidiary Initial, Channel 5 is facing a TV rights renegotiation for Neighbours. The 10-year deal with producer Fremantle is due to expire in 2017, however negotiations are expected to start as soon as next year.

In 2007, Channel 5 made a shock swoop for the rights to the Australian hit soap, which had aired on the BBC for 21 years, with ITV also named as a bidding party. While the show no longer provides the huge ratings it once did, it remains a reliable audience magnet for Channel 5.

Viacom will also have to address the looming schedule and ratings hole that will be left by the Crime Scene Investigation franchise, a big ratings staple on Channel 5 for more than a decade, as it begins to wind down on-screen.

The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/09/big-brother-target-itv-channel-5-viacom)

[Glenn.]

I'd rather BB die than ITV getting its grubby hands on it.

[Marsh.]

Me too. I'd rather it end than go to one of those channels.

I think we're headed for the day when Celebrity Big Brother is the only one that airs. It's the only one that garners any interest anymore.

Besides, if it's struggling to keep the ratings up over the summer on channel 5 I can't see it doing well on these ITVBe channels or anything. It really would be a waste of money for them.

[Samm]

Didn't know Big brother was so expensive

[Headie]

I'd rather it be on ITV than Channel 5 tbh, but each to their own I guess.

[Cal.]

I'd rather it be on ITV than Channel 5 tbh, but each to their own I guess.

I agree sort of. I think they'd do well with it, but then it would be horrible if they took BB and made it unrecognizeable.

[Headie]

I'm happy with the way it is now tbh, I just would prefer to see what direction ITV would take it in, seeing as they have some of the best/most-watched Reality shows in the UK.

[Marsh.]

I'm happy with the way it is now tbh, I just would prefer to see what direction ITV would take it in, seeing as they have some of the best/most-watched Reality shows in the UK.

They wouldn't do an X Factor or BGT with it if that's what you're thinking.

[Samm]

I'd rather it be on ITV than Channel 5 tbh, but each to their own I guess.

But they would most likely air Celeb BB on ITV and air Big Brother on ITV2

[mrmattybeck1]

Really hope it happens it will be a fantastic signing for itv

[jackc1806]

ITV? No thanks

[Marsh.]

Really hope it happens it will be a fantastic signing for itv

For ITVBe? It'll be another ITVPlay disaster and close down. No way would BB do well on a channel like that.

[mrmattybeck1]

For ITVBe? It'll be another ITVPlay disaster and close down. No way would BB do well on a channel like that.im hoping itv2

[Marsh.]

I don't think it would work on any digital channel to be honest. Not unless it was seriously altered. It would definitely become a TOWIE clone then.

[daniel-lewis-1985]

I'd rather it be on ITV than Channel 5 tbh, but each to their own I guess.

But it will be on a new digital channel ITVbe who is going to watch that?

BB isn't as safe as on Channel 5 as people think.

It is very possible after summer CBB it may disappear from our screens.

[Sawyer]

Either way, ITV expressing interest is only a good thing. It will show Viacom that BB is a hot product and is demand, which will either force Viacom to make a decision and sign on the dotted line quicker, or allow a channel with a bigger budget to take it over.

They'd probably lock Emma into a golden handcuffs deal aswell and get her on This Morning and Big Brother or something.

Also, I doubt the reason for it not happening being that fact it's too expensive. If Channel 5 can afford it...

[JohnnyBB]

Either way, ITV expressing interest is only a good thing. It will show Viacom that BB is a hot product and is demand, which will either force Viacom to make a decision and sign on the dotted line quicker, or allow a channel with a bigger budget to take it over.

They'd probably lock Emma into a golden handcuffs deal aswell and get her on This Morning and Big Brother or something.

Also, I doubt the reason for it not happening being that fact it's too expensive. If Channel 5 can afford it...

They asked itv for a comment and they declined instead of rubbishing the rumours, itv seems to be keeping there cards close to there chest, and putting the main show on ITVBE would be an amazing idea. And would launch the channel to success.:cheer2:

[Marsh.]

ITV probably mean it's too expensive in the sense that they wouldn't normally spend so much money on something that brings in such low viewing figures.

It's no X Factor or anything.

[smeagol]

good they are the last channel i would want it on. it would be the end as we know it.

channel 5 need to keep it. but just do it better

[Marsh.]

I still think a break after channel 4 ended it would've done it good. :laugh:

[Cal.]

I still think a break after channel 4 ended it would've done it good. :laugh:

I agree! Channel 4 shouldn't have been so quick in completely axing it and selling the rights, they should have just not brought it back after Big Brother 11 and then possibly re-launched it this year? If they'd planned it perfectly then the ratings would have been absolutely insane!

[Marsh.]

I agree! Channel 4 shouldn't have been so quick in completely axing it and selling the rights, they should have just not brought it back after Big Brother 11 and then possibly re-launched it this year? If they'd planned it perfectly then the ratings would have been absolutely insane!

I don't think that was down to channel 4.

After BB11 channel 4's rights to the show expired then it was down to Endemol to either end the show or sell it to another network.

I don't think channel 4 would've paid for the rights to it just to leave it off the air.

I don't get why endemol put together the whole "last ever Big Brother" stuff with UBB if they were hoping for a revival on 5. :laugh:

[Cal.]

I don't think that was down to channel 4.

After BB11 channel 4's rights to the show expired then it was down to Endemol to either end the show or sell it to another network.

I don't think channel 4 would've paid for the rights to it just to leave it off the air.

I don't get why endemol put together the whole "last ever Big Brother" stuff with UBB if they were hoping for a revival on 5. :laugh:

Oh, I thought Channel 4 just sold the rights, I didn't know the rights expired anyway with them.

That's weird because I've just watched 'The Final Hour' of Ultimate Big Brother and literally it had no effect on me because it wasn't even the final Big Brother, every Big Brother since it began was essentially 'the last Big Brother' until the next summer, so it was a pointless ratings grabber considering it came back the following year like every Big Brother did.

[Marsh.]

Oh, I thought Channel 4 just sold the rights, I didn't know the rights expired anyway with them.

That's weird because I've just watched 'The Final Hour' of Ultimate Big Brother and literally it had no effect on me because it wasn't even the final Big Brother, every Big Brother since it began was essentially 'the last Big Brother' until the next summer, so it was a pointless ratings grabber considering it came back the following year like every Big Brother did.

Yes, channel 4 axed it in 2009 and said 2010 (the last year they held the rights) would be the final year for the show on channel 4.

It's not channel 4's show to sell, it's endemol's. Endemol went along with the "last ever" stuff even though they must have known channel 5 were interested at that time even if it wasn't set in stone.

It wasn't like every year though, we knew it was coming back every year because channel 4 had multi-year deals with it. I think the last one was in 2006 when they renewed it for five years. So it was pretty much guaranteed to come back every year for that period unless something drastic happened. For all intents and purposes, 2010 was the end.

[Cal.]

Yes, channel 4 axed it in 2009 and said 2010 (the last year they held the rights) would be the final year for the show on channel 4.

It's not channel 4's show to sell, it's endemol's. Endemol went along with the "last ever" stuff even though they must have known channel 5 were interested at that time even if it wasn't set in stone.

It wasn't like every year though, we knew it was coming back every year because channel 4 had multi-year deals with it. I think the last one was in 2006 when they renewed it for five years. So it was pretty much guaranteed to come back every year for that period unless something drastic happened. For all intents and purposes, 2010 was the end.

Hmm that's true. So was it Endemol's responsibility to sell the rights to a different channel to make Big Brother and how much say do Endemol have in the way it's made?

[Pronshi]

Endemol had no idea channel 5 was interested. Remember by this stage it was still owned by the RTL group who made it clear they were not interested in the format as they were losing money and too much of a risk. It wasn't until Richard Desmond bought channel 5 that any intention of Big Brother being on channel 5 was announced.


Also remember guys at one point Endemol put in a big to purchase Channel 5 but were outbid by Richard Desmond.

[Marsh.]

Hmm that's true. So was it Endemol's responsibility to sell the rights to a different channel to make Big Brother and how much say do Endemol have in the way it's made?

To be honest I actually have no idea how much input the channel have into the makings of the show. It kind of confuses because we all talk about how "channel 4" used to do things but we don't actually know how much of the change has come from the show itself and not just the channel it airs on.

But yes, endemol own and make the show, the channel purchase the rights to air it.

[emmetmcl]

Hmm that's true. So was it Endemol's responsibility to sell the rights to a different channel to make Big Brother and how much say do Endemol have in the way it's made?

As far as I know its Endemol who make it. Channel 5 basically just say, "make Big Brother" and Endemol carry on. Jeff Ford said on last years series that they only had one meeting with Endemol and that they wanted Emma to host, and Endemol just carried on.

[Cal.]

To be honest I actually have no idea how much input the channel have into the makings of the show. It kind of confuses because we all talk about how "channel 4" used to do things but we don't actually know how much of the change has come from the show itself and not just the channel it airs on.

But yes, endemol own and make the show, the channel purchase the rights to air it.

Then why the drastic change from the way it was on Channel 4 to the way it is on Channel 5?:shrug:

[Marsh.]

Then why the drastic change from the way it was on Channel 4 to the way it is on Channel 5?:shrug:

:shrug: The channel must have some influence/input. I just don't know how much. :laugh:

[zakman440]

As far as I know its Endemol who make it. Channel 5 basically just say, "make Big Brother" and Endemol carry on. Jeff Ford said on last years series that they only had one meeting with Endemol and that they wanted Emma to host, and Endemol just carried on.

Ben Frow took over as controller in Febuary 2013, so it will have been him and not Jeff :).

[Marsh.]

Endemol had no idea channel 5 was interested. Remember by this stage it was still owned by the RTL group who made it clear they were not interested in the format as they were losing money and too much of a risk. It wasn't until Richard Desmond bought channel 5 that any intention of Big Brother being on channel 5 was announced.


Also remember guys at one point Endemol put in a big to purchase Channel 5 but were outbid by Richard Desmond.

Ah, right. I didn't know that. Thanks.

[Pronshi]

Ah, right. I didn't know that. Thanks.

:dance:

[Cal.]

:shrug: The channel must have some influence/input. I just don't know how much. :laugh:

Ah, okay.

Cheers, thanks for the info!

[Marsh.]

Ah, okay.

Cheers, thanks for the info!

Makes it harder to know who to direct your annoyance at. :laugh:

[Marsh.]

Ben Frow took over as controller in Febuary 2013, so it will have been him and not Jeff :).

So channel 5's only input last summer was the best decision made on C5 BB to sack Brian? :laugh:

[zakman440]

So channel 5's only input last summer was the best decision made on C5 BB to sack Brian? :laugh:

Pretty much :hehe:

jKGZgheQG8M

[Jamesy]

I don't think Big Brother would have returned if it was put to rest.

If no one bought the rights after the last C4 BB then no doubt the house would have been knocked down and used for other productions on that site. That would have meant any channel bringing it back years down the line would have to invest heavily in a new site to host the show. Not cheap when you consider how low viewing figures are. I doubt any channel could warrant the investment when millions could be pumped into some new hyped up reality show.

Maybe 20-30 years down the line the show would come back. But "a few years" rest would have never happened.

I think it's safe to say Big Brother is more of a cult show these days than it ever was. Viewing figures certainly confirm that there is a dedicated audience around the 1 million mark (probably more realistically around 800,000 to 900,000). Celeb BB seems more of a general show that more people watch. I can see civilian BB coming to a close in a few years time and CBB becoming a main event (that's if either actually get renewed, as far as things go BBUK ends this summer!). Then a few years down the line that will die out and I doubt Big Brother will ever return, or at the least it won't return for for a good decade or three.

[Marsh.]

I don't think Big Brother would have returned if it was put to rest.

If no one bought the rights after the last C4 BB then no doubt the house would have been knocked down and used for other productions on that site. That would have meant any channel bringing it back years down the line would have to invest heavily in a new site to host the show. Not cheap when you consider how low viewing figures are. I doubt any channel could warrant the investment when millions could be pumped into some new hyped up reality show.

Maybe 20-30 years down the line the show would come back. But "a few years" rest would have never happened.

I think it's safe to say Big Brother is more of a cult show these days than it ever was. Viewing figures certainly confirm that there is a dedicated audience around the 1 million mark (probably more realistically around 800,000 to 900,000). Celeb BB seems more of a general show that more people watch. I can see civilian BB coming to a close in a few years time and CBB becoming a main event (that's if either actually get renewed, as far as things go BBUK ends this summer!). Then a few years down the line that will die out and I doubt Big Brother will ever return, or at the least it won't return for for a good decade or three.

No more expensive than building any other "set". I don't think that would've been an issue.

Big Brother will keep going for a very long time, it's like people were saying when it ended on channel 4, it may go on to no longer be called Big Brother, and be changed beyond its original premise but it will keep going because of its format.

BB started the reality crap that's taken over TV since it started in Holland in '97.

It won't stay the same, but it won't completely disappear for a long time.

You could even say things like I'm a Celeb are Big Brother just under a different name. They all spin off from the same thing.

[Jarrod]

I don't think Big Brother would have returned if it was put to rest.

If no one bought the rights after the last C4 BB then no doubt the house would have been knocked down and used for other productions on that site. That would have meant any channel bringing it back years down the line would have to invest heavily in a new site to host the show. Not cheap when you consider how low viewing figures are. I doubt any channel could warrant the investment when millions could be pumped into some new hyped up reality show.



Just want to say that Endemol renewed the rights to keep the Big Brother House at Elstree until 2013 before Channel 5 were interested in buying BB.

[TiBB Frontpage Article]

Sam:) has posted a new TiBB frontpage article.

ITV executives have reportedly lost interest in poaching Big Brother from Channel 5, according to The Guardian (http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/jun/09/big-brother-target-itv-channel-5-viacom). Channel 5's two-year deal expires at the end of the year, meaning other broadcasters can make offers on the show.

http://pictures.thisisbigbrother.com/userpics/10433/thumb_itv-logo.jpgThe news of ITV's interests came earlier this year when ITV announced plans.....

Excerpt of article quoted above. Read full article here - http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/bigbrother15-2014/news-252488/itv-changed-their-mind-on-big-brother-bid.html

[Marsh.]

When did the front page get a redesign?

Looks much better.