MTV to repeat C5’s Celebrity Big Brother
January 8, 2015
One of the latest indications of close co-operation between UK FTA commercial broadcaster Channel 5 and its Viacom parent has come with the news that MTV UK will broadcast repeats of Celebrity Big Brother for the first time when the reality flagship returns for its eighth series on Channel 5.
An edited version of each Celebrity Big Brother daily highlights show, typically airing at 9pm on Channel 5, will be repeated on MTV UK the following day – at 2pm and 7pm on weekdays and at 6pm only on weekends – starting with the January 7 two-hour long launch show.
The deal with production company Endemol for repeat rights to Celebrity Big Brother has been agreed by Channel 5 following the takeover of Channel 5 by MTV UK’s parent company, Viacom International Media Networks.
It is the latest in a series of content sharing deals between Channel 5 and VIMN’s UK pay-TV channels, including a joint commission for new reality series, 10,000BC, which is scheduled to air on Channel 5 and MTV UK. In November, Channel 5 aired MTV’s flagship music awards show, the MTV EMA, for the first time, helping to deliver a record UK TV audience for the event.
Since moving to Channel 5 in 2011, Celebrity Big Brother has proved an enduring draw for audiences, particularly younger viewers. The seventh series averaged 2.2 million viewers and a 10 per cent share, rising to 16 per cent amongst young women.