Steph’s Packed Lunch is the latest victim of Channel 4’s carnage as the broadcaster attempts to recoup costs.
The Channel 4 show, hosted by Steph McGovern, was axed from the struggling broadcaster along with SAS: Who Dares Wins and The Big Narstie Show.
The Mail revealed in the summer that Channel 4 staff were describing it as a “bloodbath” as groundbreaking Scottish-based medical documentary Rescue: Extreme Medics joined a growing list of canceled shows.
The mass decline in shows comes despite Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon reportedly earning £1.5 million last year, while freelancers bore the brunt of the broadcaster’s austerity campaign amid financial difficulties. The channel’s profits fell from £101m to just £3m last year, reports The Standard.
Just yesterday it was revealed that Steph’s Packed Lunch was Channel 4’s latest victim.
Steph’s Packed Lunch is the latest victim of Channel 4’s carnage as the broadcaster attempts to recoup costs
The Big Blow Out was another Channel 4 show that was canceled due to a series of cuts at the channel
The show, which premiered in 2020 and is broadcast from Leeds Dock, is live and features programs such as showbiz interviews and news segments. The cast and crew have been informed that the final show will air in December.
Last month, ITV’s This Morning poached Channel 4 executive producer Vivek Sharmar, who has worked with Steph. Vivek is reportedly “a huge supporter” of Steph – meaning the star is now in the running to replace Holly Willoughby, who left the show after 14 years.
Steph’s Packed Lunch becomes the latest C4 victim
A statement from Channel 4 said: “With viewing habits changing faster than ever, we need to make difficult decisions about which programs to invest in to best drive our digital-first strategy and we have decided to steph’s “Packed Lunch will not be put into operation again if existing production is running.” Contract ends in December 2023.
“We remain true to our mission to improve the TV industry outside of London and remain true to our goal of producing 50% of our products outside of London.”
“We will reinvest the budget previously allocated to Steph’s Packed Lunch into productions in other countries and regions.”
The announcement comes less than a month after it was reported that Channel 4’s iconic reality series Don’t Tell The Bride could also be facing bankruptcy after 16 years.
The hugely popular show, which originally aired on BBC Three, saw couples given £14,000 to spend on their wedding.
Channel 4 says the show could return at any time in the future, even though it has been off the air since 2020.
A source told The Sun last month: “People are currently flocking to E4 to watch Married at First Sight UK – but while there are no plans for Don’t Tell The Bride to return at the moment, it’s clear “That people love the chaos and drama that wedding fever brings – so who knows what could happen!”
Channel 4 stressed that the decision to “rest” Don’t Tell the Bride had nothing to do with finances, adding: “The show last aired in 2020 but there is every chance that our DTTB brides and grooms will step in front of the altar again in the future.” .’
But the speculation comes amid a string of other cancellations.
In May it was reported that Channel 4 had canceled the hugely popular reality TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins after eight series.
The broadcaster is set to shift its focus to the show’s spin-off Celebrity SAS, meaning the original programming will be axed.
In May it was reported that Channel 4 had canceled the hugely popular reality TV show SAS: Who Dares Wins after eight series.
In June, The Big Narstie Show became Channel 4’s latest casualty as it faced closure after its fifth series
Send Nudes Body SOS, hosted by Vogue Williams, was canceled by Channel 4 after just one series
A Channel 4 spokesperson told The Sun: “Due to the huge success of Celebrity SAS, we have shifted our focus to prioritize this area. “Filming on a longer, eight-part series is due to begin in the summer.”
Then, just a month later, Send Nudes Body SOS, hosted by Vogue Williams, was canceled by Channel 4 after just one series.
In a statement, the broadcaster said the cancellation of the revamp program was not for financial reasons but a creative decision.
Also in June, The Big Narstie Show became Channel 4’s latest casualty as it faced closure after its fifth series.
Starring comedian Mo Gilligan and rapper Big Narstie, the BAFTA-winning show debuted in 2018 and features both comedy sketches and musical performances.
The channel decided not to renew the show for the sixth season as part of a period of growth.
In a sensational flood of cancellations, The Big Blow Out was also canceled in the summer.
The hair styling competition was hosted by AJ Odudu. Hairdressers Sam McKnight and Lisa Farral served as judges.
11 experienced hairdressers competed against each other in various challenges to be crowned the winner.
In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed to TV Zone that the series would not be returning for a second season.
The mass decline in shows comes despite Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon (pictured) earning £1.5m last year
They said: “The Big Blow Out has given us many spectacular hair creations and we have grown to love our passionate prodigies, but like all broadcasters we often have to make the difficult decision to stop producing some programs in order to make new ones.”
The crisis comes after Ms Mahon and her colleague Ian Katz fought off a government plan to privatize. One of their arguments was that it would fund independent production companies across the country.
A source told The Mail on Sunday that the broadcaster thought it would be better to cut its losses. But staff accuse Mr Katz of wasting money on expensive but little-watched shows such as reality series Rise And Fall, which is said to have cost the channel £14m – money that its low ratings make it unjustifiable was.
An insider said: “Everyone is calling it a Channel 4 bloodbath.”
“At first everyone was completely shocked when Four Weddings was cancelled.
“It’s almost unusual for a show that was doing really well to be canceled, but as word spread other shows failed too.”
“They were told that Ian Katz had watched the entire production of the station and they were sorry but it had to happen because there was no money.”
“The casting team were already on site to start Naked Attraction and were all told they were no longer needed as they would not be doing another series.
“They tried to soften the blow for the show’s freelance team by saying they hope to film another series in December, but that’s not helping them now.”
A Channel 4 spokesman said: “Channel 4, like all broadcasters, makes decisions each year about which shows to pause, continue or end, to ensure we are always innovating and giving viewers the best programming on offer.”
“In addition, as audience habits change faster than ever before, we must further focus our resources and prioritize programs that drive digital growth.”
“However, the proportion of shows that we do not want to get back on track is no different than in recent years.”