[Matt]

Again guys, I'm very sorry that I have to post this from my own site, but it's so juicy that i couldn't resist:

[quote]
Big Brother viewers, a.k.a. you and me, will apparently not be charged a penny for voting during this summer's series of the hit reality show.

Today's edition of The News Of The World says that bosses are trying their best to win back fans following the racism row of Celebrity Big Brother in January, and one plan is to remove premium rate tariffs from voting lines, making them free.

According to the paper, bosses believe it will TRIPLE the number of votes and win back the public following said racism row, and the recent premium rate phonelines scandal, which Channel 4 started after a cock-up on popular teatime chat show Richard and Judy's You Say We Pay segment.

A BB insider told the paper: "This is a brilliant stunt by Channel 4. There is a real fear that after all the recent scandals, viewers won't want to vote this year. If they don't have to shell out any cash, those negative feelings could change."

Votes used to cost 50p each, with the money being split between C4 and their premium rate phone lines operator after a 10p donation to charity. Participation was so low in last year's series, Big Brother 7, that Channel 4 made less than £1million from votes.

Link removed by Mark. Please stop plugging links to your site in threads. Thanks

I doubt this will happen, but if it does what a coup!

What do you think?