This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/7505088.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Australian TV evicts Big Brother Australian TV evicts Big Brother
(about 4 hours later)
The Australian version of Big Brother has been axed, seven years after it began on Network Ten.The Australian version of Big Brother has been axed, seven years after it began on Network Ten.
The show will not return after the current series, which actress Pamela Anderson has appeared in, ends in July. The show will not return after the current series, which actress Pamela Anderson has appeared in, ends in July. Ten chief executive Grant Blackley said the network was "confident this is the right decision at the right time".
Ten chief executive Grant Blackley said the network was "confident this is the right decision at the right time".
"We are immensely proud of the show and the incredible success it has enjoyed," programming head David Mott said. "We're ending the season on a high.""We are immensely proud of the show and the incredible success it has enjoyed," programming head David Mott said. "We're ending the season on a high."
Flagging ratingsFlagging ratings
He added: "Big Brother is the undisputed grand-daddy of modern, commercial reality television in Australia. Today's reality dramas have all, on some level, been inspired by Big Brother."He added: "Big Brother is the undisputed grand-daddy of modern, commercial reality television in Australia. Today's reality dramas have all, on some level, been inspired by Big Brother."
Mr Mott acknowledged the show had courted its fair share of controversy. Pamela Anderson surprised housemates by entering the showMr Mott acknowledged the show had courted its fair share of controversy.
"The show has taken on topics of race, sex, homosexuality, eating disorders and alcohol abuse, many of which had been handled gingerly, if at all, on TV.""The show has taken on topics of race, sex, homosexuality, eating disorders and alcohol abuse, many of which had been handled gingerly, if at all, on TV."
Pamela Anderson surprised housemates by entering the show
Last week Anderson, best known for starring in US show Baywatch, entered the Big Brother house.Last week Anderson, best known for starring in US show Baywatch, entered the Big Brother house.
The 41-year-old was flown in by Ten in an attempt to revive the show's flagging ratings.The 41-year-old was flown in by Ten in an attempt to revive the show's flagging ratings.
When asked how much she had been paid for the TV appearance in a press conference, Anderson said the sum was: "Huge, a lot... much more than I am worth."When asked how much she had been paid for the TV appearance in a press conference, Anderson said the sum was: "Huge, a lot... much more than I am worth."
'Tired format''Tired format'
The show's name comes from George Orwell's 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which revolves around an all-seeing leader called Big Brother.The show's name comes from George Orwell's 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which revolves around an all-seeing leader called Big Brother.
The format was first used in the Netherlands in 1999, with Channel 4 screeing a UK version a year later. The format was first used in the Netherlands in 1999, with Channel 4 screening a UK version a year later.
There's every opportunity for a broadcaster to step in and take over Spokeswoman for production company Endemol
It has gone on to be produced in 40 different countries, although it is not clear how many are still broadcasting the show.
Housemates are filmed 24 hours per day with edited highlights broadcast during prime-time slots.Housemates are filmed 24 hours per day with edited highlights broadcast during prime-time slots.
An spokeswoman for Endemol, the production company which owns the Big Brother format, said: "It's by no means being axed. It's just the contract won't be renewed for 2009.
"So there's every opportunity for a broadcaster to step in and take over."
Meanwhile, bookmaker Ladbrokes slashed its odds for the cancellation of the UK version of the show from 16/1 to 8/1.Meanwhile, bookmaker Ladbrokes slashed its odds for the cancellation of the UK version of the show from 16/1 to 8/1.
Spokesman Nick Weinberg said the news from Australia suggested the format was "getting a bit tired".Spokesman Nick Weinberg said the news from Australia suggested the format was "getting a bit tired".