ITV reportedly made an attempt to ‘poach’ Gogglebox from Channel 4 earlier this year while the programme was ‘mid-contract’, which would have shaken up the UK broadcasting scene.
It’s no secret popular programmes often move channels, like The Great British Bake Off swapping the BBC for Channel 4, while Gladiators is to return on BBC not ITV.
And it has now been revealed ITV made a bid for Gogglebox just months after the corporation said it was ‘actively exploring’ a potential bid to buy the producing company behind the show and others like The Traitors, All3Media.
According to Deadline, Gogglebox’s contract is renewed ‘roughly every three years’, but ITV managing director Kevin Lygo approached the show ‘mid contract’.
The publication understands that Gogglebox will continue on Channel 4, staying put.
The hit reality programme, which features the likes of best friends Jenny and Lee, sisters Ellie and Izzi, and The Malone Family, has picked up plenty of awards over recent years, including the factual award at the National Television Awards 2021, and reality and constructed factual award at the Bafta TV awards the following year.
Meanwhile, the celebrity spin-off has seen the likes of Rylan Clark and Shaun Ryder transform into TV sofa critics.
This comes after ITV was left seething as the broadcaster accused the BBC of ‘poaching’ talent including the likes of Holly Willoughby and Paddy McGuinness.
The Beeb was put on blast by ITV insiders who have claimed that the corporation is worrying ‘about a licence fee rebellion’ in the north and is eager to bring in new talent that are more relatable to viewers.
‘Most of their TV stars are southern and perhaps a bit posh – a bit Radio 4,’ one ITV insider alleged.
‘They are obsessed with youth and ITV does much better than them on 16-34-year-old viewers. Plus they have an issue in the north where their viewing is bad and they worry about a licence fee rebellion.’
In recent weeks the BBC has unveiled a new slate of TV shows that feature ITV stars including a new game show with This Morning’s Holly and The Chase’s Bradley Walsh.
This comes after the likes of Take Me Out host Paddy and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon have also moved to the BBC for shows such as Top Gear and The Greatest Dancer.
Speaking to The Mirror, the insider added: ‘It would be nice if they could find some of their own stars and not just come poaching for ours.
‘Holly and Bradley are firmly associated with ITV in the eyes of the viewers – and long may they stay that way.’
Metro has approached ITV and Channel 4 for comment.
Gogglebox is available to watch on All4.
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