Endemol will have an asking price, and will enter negotiations about six months before the contract is up. If one channel matches it then fine, but if another channel shows interest in it they will have to bid more than the previous offer If no one matches the asking offer or no one shows any interest, then it doesn't sell. Just like a normal auction.

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http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/ne...g-brother.html

]Published Tuesday, Aug 8 2006, 02:38 BST


ITV has begun early talks with Endemol with a view to poaching Big Brother from Channel 4, according to the Media Guardian.

C4 has broadcast the popular reality series for the last six years but has no long-term contract in place to keep the show with the network on an exclusive basis.

The current two-year contract expires after the eighth series ends next summer. Negotiations on a new deal will begin later this year.

A source told the 'paper that ITV's director of television Simon Shaps was prepared to put up an "almighty fight" to take the show.

"Big Brother is with Channel 4 at the moment and Endemol is quite happy with them but technically it has no home after next year," the source is quoted as saying. "When it comes to pure financial muscle, ITV could probably beat Channel 4."