Channel 4 is reported to have axed high-profile show Naked Attraction, which sees people whose a partner for a date based just on seeing them naked. The show is reported to be among of number of titles being scrapped or paused by the channel.
The Mail on Sunday reports that Naked Attraction, Scared Of The Dark Rescue: Extreme Medics and Four Weddings will be pulled from the air. The title reports that The Last Leg, hosted by Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker, will the length of its next series cut.
Some of the shows may return at a later date, possibly in a reduced format. Channel 4 says Naked Attraction, which was reported to be preparing to film this year, will instead return next year.
A source told The Mail on Sunday that the channel is cutting shows to save money.
One insider said: "Everyone is calling it a Channel 4 bloodbath. At first everyone was in total shock when Four Weddings was cancelled.
"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."
They added: "The casting team were already in place to start on Naked Attraction and were all told they were no longer needed as they were not making another series.
A spokesman for the network said: "Channel 4 cares deeply about the Indie community and our wider supply chain of freelancers. They are the beating heart of our business. While we recognise the actions we are asking of some are causing some short-term pain, the plan we have in place underscores our ongoing commitment to our financial sustainability and our continued support of the UK’s independent production sector
"The Executive Directors have already made the decision to defer retention payments and earlier this year declined a salary rise as part of a wider response to a very difficult ad-market in Q2, which is affecting all commercial broadcasters."
A spokesman added: “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. 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."
