(Fwrd Axis) — British television broadcaster ITV is reportedly in talks to revive Big Brother in the U.K. and relaunch the show in 2023, making it the first time the show has aired in five years.
According to The Sun, ITV is in talks with production company Banijay to revive Big Brother in 2023 with a ‘civilian series’ airing on digital channel ITV2 in autumn 2023. However, the talks are being described as being in the “delicate” and “very early” stages.
“ITV is the home of big appointment telly,” a source told the publication. “They know better than anyone how to put on big live events. They think putting it on ITV2 will open it up to a new audience and legion of younger fans.”
ITV has declined to comment on the reports.
Big Brother last aired in the UK back in 2018 with its final series on Channel 5, ending a 19-year run on British television across Channel 4 and Channel 5 respectively. Cameron Cole was crowned the winner of the final series, becoming the youngest person to take the crown in show history.
Netflix approached producers following the show’s run ending on Channel 5 and Channel 4 was interested in having discussions to revive the show but talks never went beyond that.
Banijay content manager Lucas Green expressed hope in the show returning to the U.K. at some point in the future back in December.
“There will be a day when Big Brother is back,” he said.
While Big Brother is not airing in the U.K. at the moment, the Australian version of the show is returning soon for its next series on Channel 7, featuring past housemates returning to play the game.
“They think putting it on ITV2 will open it up to a new audience and legion of younger fans,” the show source said of ITV’s plans. “They are really keen on getting the deal done on Big Brother, and hope to have something firm to announce soon.”
