In light of the BBC’s announcement that it will revive the classic ITV entertainment programme Gladiators, Channel 4’s head of programming has criticised the “microwave moment” of “reheated” old TV programmes.
The broadcaster’s chief content officer, Ian Katz, called the proliferation of reruns of old episodes “depressing.”
His remarks follow ITV’s announcement that it would revive Big Brother while Channel 5 revived Challenge Anneka.
The BBC is reportedly considering bringing the reality programme Survivor back.
But Mr. Katz acknowledged that his own channel also engages in the practise.
The Great British Bake Off was “rebooted” by Channel 4 when the BBC ceased airing it, according to the BBC’s chief programming executive.
At the Edinburgh TV Festival, when asked about the reintroduction of Big Brother, Mr. Katz responded, “I do believe there’s something dismal about this microwave moment we’re in, with so many old dishes being reheated.” We do some, too. We have “Changing Rooms” on the radio.
Charlotte Moore, the head of BBC content, retorted, “They acquired [C4] Bake Off and rebooted it, didn’t they?” It isn’t, in my opinion, depressing. It is difficult, in my opinion.