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Nine may resurrect Big BrotherFont Size: Decrease Increase Print Page: Print Amanda Meade | July 17, 2008
BIG Brother may get a second life via the Nine network.
“It’s run its race in its present form," Nine chief executive David Gyngell told The Australian. “I still think it has some life in it in another form. Channel Nine will be looking at it.”
Mr Gyngell said he is a fan of the reality format and is aware of the revenue it can bring to a network across all its platforms. The eight-year-old series ends on Ten on Monday night. Nine will hold talks with owners Endemol Southern Star about overhauling the formula.
“Big Brother was a very good show at its height and it is useful for the economic benefit it brings,” Mr Gyngell said.
Mr Gyngell, who has taken the Nine network back to a winning position since he took over in November last year, is the only television chief executive interested in picking up the format. Both Seven and Foxtel have declined.
He said Ten’s decision not to renew the show for next year was the right one and he praised their handling of the format.
“Ten paid a lot of money for it and they needed to get as much value as they possibly could so they ran a lot of hours,” he said.
“But running so many hours puts a big strain on a show. In its present form it’s not sustainable but it delivers good numbers among the 16 to 24 year olds which is good for any network.”
Ten aired 120 hours of Big Brother each season, usually managing at least one million viewers per episode but dropping this year. At its best Big Brother sparked debate, and promoted the more wholesome characters in the house.
But when its popularity waned it resorted to shock tactics and cast the housemates like a freak show.
At the 11th hour this month, Ten cast former Baywatch actor Pamela Anderson as a house guest in order to boost ratings. It is understood she was paid $150,000 for the drop-in visit to the Gold Coast compound.
From the Australian.