DESPITE widespread criticism in the media, Network Ten’s Big Brother series is proving a winner with audiences and advertisers alike.
The public interest Big Brother has generated has turned the nightly, reality television show into one of the most popular programs ever.
Following initial reticence by local advertisers, more than $1 million worth of advertising was booked into Big Brother for the Perth market last week alone.
Network Ten Perth general sales manager David Fare said Big Brother had attracted millions of dollars in advertising revenue for the network and buoyed Channel Ten’s ratings.
“Since the project has been up and running, local advertisers are seeing the opportunities and jumping on board,” Mr Fare said.
“It’s the most successful show we’ve had in the past two or three years and we’re up about two ratings points in the primetime slot.
“We have a lot of new viewers sampling the station that aren’t regular viewers.”
The real test will be for Network Ten to retain this new audience for the full length of the series now the initial hype has died down.