Channel 5 retains Big Brother rights until 2018

Channel 5 logo

Channel 5 has secured the rights to Big Brother until the end of 2018 in a new deal with Endemol Shine UK.

The broadcaster will continue to screen two series of Celebrity Big Brother and one series of Big Brother each year with Initial (an Endemol subsidiary) overseeing associated programming.

“Channel 5 is a fantastic home for Big Brother. Over the past four years we’ve worked closely together to keep this extraordinary format feeling fresh, noisy, and creatively vibrant.  I’m thrilled that this landmark deal means we can look forward to three more years of big characters and juicy storylines from inside our favourite house.” – Managing Director of Initial, Nick Samwell-Smith

The renewal follows record ratings for Celebrity Big Brother‘s latest outing in January, which attracted a typical audience of 3.1 million per episode and an 11.4% share of viewing.

Following the acquisition of Channel 5 by Viacom International Media Networks, repeats of Celebrity Big Brother also appeared on MTV UK and outperformed the channel’s all day average audience amongst 16-34s by almost 20%. More than 21 million viewers tuned into the series at least once across all VIMN-owned channels during the course of its run.

“Big Brother in all its guises brings a huge and varied cross section of viewers to Channel 5 and typifies the appointment-to-view programming we want on the channel. It remains one of TV’s most talked about and popular programmes and I’m genuinely delighted we’ve secured it for at least three more years.” – Chief Operating Officer, Channel 5, Paul Dunthorne – who negotiated the extension

Big Brother launched on Channel 5 in 2011 following a ten year run on Channel 4.