Channel 4 has denied all claims that it has axed one of its most popular shows in an effort to save money, rubbishing accusations that there has been a "bloodbath" at the channel. The broadcaster posted its strongest-ever financial performance in 2021, recording revenue of more than £1 billion for the first time in its history.
However, it has been hit with accusations that four shows have been scrapped – Naked Attraction, hosted by Anna Richardson, Scared Of The Dark?, documentary Rescue: Extreme Medics, and the hugely publicised reboot of Four Weddings. A source at the broadcaster also alleged Channel 4 is cutting down on episodes of some its shows in a further bid to save money, reports the Mirror.
One of the channel's most popular programmes The Last Leg, hosted by Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker, will now only run for seven weeks instead of the originally planned nine. Speaking to the Mail On Sunday a source said: "Everyone is calling it a Channel 4 bloodbath. At first, everyone was in total shock when Four Weddings was cancelled.
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"It’s almost unheard of that a show that is going really well is decommissioned, but as news started to spread, other shows were falling down too." According to the insider, Channel 4 bosses Ian Katz and Alex Mahon have been going over the channel's entire output to see where cuts could be made.
Apparently, those working to cast for the new season of Naked Attraction were told they were no longer needed as they were not making another series. However, a spokesperson for Channel 4 told the Mirror: “Naked Attraction has not been decommissioned and a new series will return to Channel 4 next year.
"Scared of the Dark enjoyed a celebrated first season with excellent linear and streaming performance." Refuting claims the TV channel needs to save money, the spokesperson went on: "Channel 4 is in robust health – however like all commercial broadcasters we’re taking some precautionary measures - such as rephrasing some content and production - in response to a downturn in the ad-market. The vast majority of our shows have not been affected."
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