ITV boss Kevin Lygo has suggested Celebrity Big Brother could air on ITV2 from next series, but confirmed the show would return next year.
Speaking at the annual Edinburgh TV Festival, ITV controller Kevin Lygo commented: “Celebrity Big Brother we’re looking at. We’re thinking not on the main channel, that’s the answer. It’s so difficult now to book big celebrities, famous people, which is what we need on the main channel. Whereas you can go more interesting and niche on ITV2.”
Lygo continued: “We’re in a battle with Endemol about the price. It does really well for us on ITVX. It’s a really important, crucial show. I love it and it does a tremendous job for us so, yes, it’s coming back.”
Meanwhile, ITV have confirmed that the upcoming civilian series will consist of 42 episodes, airing Sunday-Friday from Sunday 28th September. The series will run for seven weeks, a week longer than previous ITV series.
Big Brother, hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, will see a new cast of carefully selected housemates, from all walks of life, take up residence in the Big Brother house as they arrive at the famous destination in front of a live studio audience.
The iconic Big Brother house will play host to all the action – clever tasks, nail-biting nominations and live evictions will be back. The public once again plays a crucial role, voting throughout the series and ultimately determining the winner, who will walk away with a life changing cash prize.
Big Brother will be followed each night by Big Brother: Late & Live – hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best in front of a studio audience – giving viewers an additional hour of exclusive Big Brother content.
More details will be announced in due course.