[zakman440]

Even though Channel 5 is beating Channel 4 in ratings?!

Read the article below:

Big Brother Africa taking over a continent?



While Big Brother UK struggles to attract viewers, its African equivalent grows ever more popular. Now in its eighth season, it is the continent's biggest reality show.

It is not just an evening pleasure, Big Brother Africa is broadcast on local radio stations across the continent and on one live TV channel 24/7.

If you walk into business premises in Zambia, for example, you are very likely to find employees glued to the television, sometimes on tiny screens under the counter.

At a local hotel in Lusaka, where I'm currently staying, the receptionist Alice is addicted to Big Brother Africa. If you try to ask her anything while she's watching the show (it could be any time of day) she shouts, "wait", as if talking to a naughty child pestering his or her parents. She has a very serious face too, which makes you follow her orders.

At any point, there will be a few of us waiting politely at reception, hoping the next commercial break will hurry up. When not busy watching the show, she is a lovely, helpful and chatty person but all she wants to talk about is the latest twist on Big Brother, her favourite contestants, and who is in love with whom.

A truly unforgettable viewing experience.
Big Brother Africa

Alice is not alone. The other day, I went into a shop to top up my local phone and I was also told to wait or come back later. I waited outside and went back during the commercial break. I was served. It seems that if Big Brother Africa is on, everything else must be put on hold.

So, here is my question: If shopkeepers and hotel and restaurant staff are not as productive as they should be, doesn't that mean companies are losing out? The popularity of the show is certainly causing bad customer service here in Lusaka. That will inadvertently affect the local economy. I leave that for the economists to study.

$300,000 cash prize

With most of them already evicted, this year's season started with 28 contestants from 14 different countries. All are under 40 years old. The winner gets a $300,000 cash prize and will likely become a household name across the continent.

For Zambians, the obsession with the show began during the first edition in 2003. Cherise Makubale from Zambia won.

Now married to a British man and living in the UK, she's regarded as a national icon back home in Zambia. They even named a local park after her. She was praised for respecting her culture, behaving well and having "high moral values".

Since then, the show has evolved and it is now more explicit with romantic and sexual scenes on display. The producers pride themselves on giving "the audiences and loyal fans of the show, a truly unforgettable viewing experience".

On its website, it says: "This Season, audiences can expect a show encompassing suspense, emotions, drama, fun, excitement and quite possibly, as we have seen in previous Seasons, a little romance."

Carry on reading here

[Mrmattybeck]

Laughable

[Samm]

c4 are jealous