The next series of Big Brother could launch later than usual to avoid a ratings clash with Love Island, according to reports.
This will be a make or break series for the Channel 5 reality show, which is facing the axe after struggling to pull in viewers in recent years.
It seems launching the next run at the same time as ITV2’s popular Love Island could be another nail in the coffin for the ailing show.
An insider told the Daily Star: “Love Island did so well last year that there is a fear Big Brother will be lost in its shadow too much.
“In some ways it makes sense to launch later.”
Love Island has already released a teaser trailer for its next series which will start in June.
In the clip, host Caroline Flack pilots a plane full of party-goers who dance to “Now That We’ve Found Love.”
She declares that Love Island is “your only destination this summer”. Fans of the show agreed, with many tweeting their excitement after seeing the trailer.
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Meanwhile, recent series of Big Brother have failed to have as big an impact on fans.
Channel 5 have yet to confirm when this year’s show will start.
When contacted by ED! for a comment, a spokesman for the show said they “wouldn’t comment on speculation” and can “only confirm schedules around 10 days before transmission”.
It’s feared this year could be Big Brother’s last since it was first launched in 2000. After its contract with Channel 4 ended, it was taken up by Channel 5 in 2011.
But presenter Emma Willis admitted last month that the show’s future is in doubt as the contract with Channel 5 expires this year, and it is not yet known if it will be renewed.
Speaking to The Mirror, Emma, 42, said: “I don’t know, we’re all waiting. I think they’re in negotiations at the minute. I’d hate to see it disappear.
“Fingers crossed we have a fantastic summer series and the channel want to keep it.”
Former Big Brother winner Brian Belo, who found fame on the show in its Channel 4 heyday, has recently been blasting Channel 5 for “ruining” the series.
He blamed the presenters and lack of new ideas for the show failing to remain a hit.
As for the launch date, he recommends they forget a summer series altogether and air the programme in winter instead of the celebrity version.
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He said people would be much more likely to be staying in watching telly in January, adding that it could easily replace the celebrity version as, “you can have a humongous television show with no famous people in it”.
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