[jamiewordsley]

Thanks to Big Brother, Channel 5 has become the country’s fourth most watched channel.


Channel 5 last week overtook Channel 4, with a higher viewer share throughout the whole week for the first time in history.

It’s a funny twist of fate, with Channel 4 having ditched Big Brother, the show which has helped boost Channel 5 no end.

Channel 4 meanwhile has struggled, with its “creative renewal” in the aftermath of Big Brother’s axe hardly winning over viewers.

While it enjoyed success last summer with the Paralympics, one event every four years is hardly going to keep the company going.

Even former popular shows, such as Gypsy Weddings and Million Pound Drop, have seen viewers tune out due to overexposure.

“They had an excellent week, in the summer with Big Brother it is always a period they get closer to Channel 4 and the Ashes highlights have gone great guns for them,” a “media agency executive” told the Guardian newspaper. “They can be rightly chuffed with their performance but it should be put in context.”

“We’ve been working really hard to give viewers what they want and we are really glad that they have been enjoying our progress,” said the Channel 5 director of programmes, Ben Frow, who joined the company just this year.

Channel 4 last week saw some record lows for its shows, as it failed to pull in over a million viewers on some nights.

But a spokeswoman for the channel commented: “Channel 4 has a unique remit which is quite different to that of Channel 5, it requires us to broadcast distinctive programming which appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society.

“Over 2013 the channel has been the home to wide range of critically acclaimed programming, including recent hits like the Murder Trial, Skint, Dates and The Returned. This content has both delivered to the remit and achieved audience success.”

[Vicky.]

Fantastic

[Samm]

Well done C5

[Headie]

Everyone keeps saying "Oh, Channel 4 have moved on from BB now, they are doing different Reality shows... they'll never take it back etc. etc.".

But I actually think once Channel 5 give it up (or once the contract runs out) Channel 4 will make a bid for the new contract and try and get the show back. I don't see why they wouldn't when they are guaranteed a solid minimum viewing figure of at least 1million per night.

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by HB123

Everyone keeps saying "Oh, Channel 4 have moved on from BB now, they are doing different Reality shows... they'll never take it back etc. etc.".

But I actually think once Channel 5 give it up (or once the contract runs out) Channel 4 will make a bid for the new contract and try and get the show back. I don't see why they wouldn't when they are guaranteed a solid minimum viewing figure of at least 1million per night.

I agree in a sense.

Do they/would they want it back? YES.

Would they actually take it back? Possibly. But not right away. I don't think they'd want to look like complete tools after doing the whole 'dead and burried' thing in 2010

[Videostar]

It must be all those "The Boy with a tongue growing out of his arse" Documentaries they show.

[Northern Monkey]

Originally Posted by Videostar

It must be all those "The Boy with a tongue growing out of his arse" Documentaries they show.

Hahaha!Lol!Very good!OT:The only C4 prog i like is The Returned.Not bothered for owt else.

[CaudleHalbard]

Great news. If this doesn't ensure the future of BB nothing will.

[fingers]

The term is overtakes, not takes over!

[Jordan.]

Well deserved, it is far better than C4 now.

[Jake.]

Amazing can't remember the last time I sat and watched 4 from 8PM

[smeagol]

its funny when they channel 4 axed bb they said they were going to put movies and new groud breaking progs in its slot. but all they done was put tons of repeats on and total rubbish.
very strange decision

[RichardG]

Originally Posted by smeagol

its funny when they channel 4 axed bb they said they were going to put movies and new groud breaking progs in its slot. but all they done was put tons of repeats on and total rubbish.
very strange decision

What are you talking about? 'Seven Days' was very groundbreaking.

I could barely even remember the name, it was terrible... as has been the rest of their "creative renewal". I watch E4 every now and then for a couple of programmes but I rarely ever bother with C4 these days, it isn't very good.

[g17m]

Great news, I don't think Channel4 are going to try and get it back, that would just be a huge embarassment for them, personally i would be happy with it on either channel as it's still on air. I definitely think if C5 dropped it then it would get picked straight back up off another channel after seeing how much its helped C5.

I remember in (late 2010/early 2011 - not too sure when) when channel 5 was for sale and endemol were bidding to buy the channel, could you imagine if they got it? it would be Big Brother in it's best possible form, with a HUGE budget and would never end..

[waterhog]

congratulations - i think they have learned from mistakes and now it is a great show.

[Patrick]

This is brilliant.

Also pretty much secures Big Brother's future, they'd be absolutely mental to axe it.

[jackc1806]

Channel 4 is no longer innovative and groundbreaking- just airing ****e everynight. They used to have BB, Friends, IT Crowd, Peep Show, Black Books, Brookside...

Tonight they aired - Why don't you speak English, Kirstie Alsop and Rude Tube...

[Patrick]

Originally Posted by jackc1806

Channel 4 is no longer innovative and groundbreaking- just airing ****e everynight. They used to have BB, Friends, IT Crowd, Peep Show, Black Books, Brookside...

Tonight they aired - Why don't you speak English, Kirstie Alsop and Rude Tube...

Let's not forget Skins, Shameless and The Inbetweeners - three massive shows for the channel aswell. All ended now too.

They really have nothing going for them anymore. They pride themselves on The Million Pound Drop and keep trying to make it interesting when let's be honest, it lost it's appeal about two years ago.

[jackc1806]

Originally Posted by Patrick

Let's not forget Skins, Shameless and The Inbetweeners - three massive shows for the channel aswell. All ended now too.

They really have nothing going for them anymore. They pride themselves on The Million Pound Drop and keep trying to make it interesting when let's be honest, it lost it's appeal about two years ago.

It barely does 1 million anyway- they need a major change at the top. Channel 4 used to be cool as **** but now Channel 5 actually pisses all over it until they start doing some decent stuff again..

[M X]

Originally Posted by jackc1806

Channel 4 is no longer innovative and groundbreaking- just airing ****e everynight. They used to have BB, Friends, IT Crowd, Peep Show, Black Books, Brookside...

Tonight they aired - Why don't you speak English, Kirstie Alsop and Rude Tube...

Yeah, Channel 4 have lost so many of their amazing programmes. It's definitely not what it used to be.