Channel 4 has announced the cancellation of its entertainment program, The Big Narstie Show. The broadcaster informed producers earlier this year that the BAFTA-winning show would not return for Season 6. However, the news has only just emerged amid an ongoing content cull. Channel 4 clarified that it was a creative decision and not a cost-cutting measure.
The Big Narstie Show, hosted by rapper Big Narstie and comedian Mo Gilligan, launched in 2018 and established itself as a platform for chat, musical performances, and topical comedy. It was produced by Expectation and Dice Productions Entertainment, which is co-owned by Big Narstie.
Channel 4’s content team said that the decision not to renew the show was not related to any advertising market challenges. It added that it was immensely proud of the five series it made and was looking forward to working with the production companies and Big Narstie on future projects.
The broadcaster is trying to reduce costs after its ad revenue plummeted, and producers are being asked to share the pain. There are mounting cancellations, delayed shoots, and cash flow requests. Channel 4’s ratings hit an all-time low last month, and top executives were given six-figure loyalty bonuses, which they later deferred.
Channel 4’s issues are causing concern within the industry, and there is genuine anger over how executives have handled the turmoil. The broadcaster’s content chief has emailed producers to try to ease the unrest. He acknowledged that it was a challenging period but said that the broadcaster was well-placed to navigate the transition to streaming. He also warned that Channel 4 would be commissioning relatively little content over the summer months outside of digital and current affairs.