Latest news with #BenFrow
The Sun
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
90s reality reboot cancelled after just one series as Channel 5 boss calls axe ‘a disaster'
CHANNEL 5 has confirmed another major reboot has been axed from their line-up – calling the failure a 'disaster'. Ben Frow, 5's Chief Content Officer, announced two major cancellations today as part of Edinburgh's TV Festival. 5 5 5 Alongside Challenge Anneka – which was pulled from the schedule with one episode never airing – Frow confirmed that Faking It has also been culled. Speaking on the decision, he said: "I think it was a disaster [the show] didn't work, because it was brilliantly made." Faking It originally existed from Channel 4 from 2000 to 2006, and followed people trying to learn a brand new career path in the space of four weeks. With the help of an expert in the field, the participant was then tested by competing with trained people in that skill at the end - with a panel having to figure out who was 'faking it' and who was legitimate. The series was rebooted by Channel 5 last year with three episodes, but it's now confirmed to not be renewed. Running from May to June, the three episodes saw a fish fryer learn to be a sushi chef, an estate agent become a market trader, and a painter-decorator learn to be a make-up artist. The series came under fire by unimpressed viewers, who labelled the show a "fix" after its first episode on air in 19 years. Showing Surrey luxury estate agent Rex swap properties for northern street markets, with the help of newly-announced Strictly star and wheeler dealer Tom Skinner. As part of the ruse, Rex had to adopt a northern accent and tackle gruelling 10-hour shifts, but managed to convince the market traders he had to fool. The show suffered flailing ratings and couldn't grab an audience enough to keep it on air. The first episode failed to get into the Top 50 shows airing that week, according to ratings monitor BARB, with several episodes of The Chase and BBC News topping it. The announcement came alongside the axe of Challenge Anneka, the reboot of the 80s series starring Anneka Rice working on charitable projects by recruiting local companies. During his appearance at Edinburgh TV Fest, Frow admitted the channel had started the year on a difficult note, but stated it was a "tough time for linear television" in general. 5 5
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Paramount UK Chief Ben Frow Says Channel 5 Won't Be Sold After Skydance Merger
Ben Frow has pledged that UK network Channel 5 will be backed in a new era for Paramount. In his first public comments since 5's parent company Paramount completed an $8B merger with David Ellison-led Skydance, Frow said the British public broadcaster was part of the company's future. More from Deadline Shonda Rhimes On Paramount & Disney Bowing To Trump: "It Feels There's Self-Censoring Going On" Hollywood Stars Flooding To UK Premium Factual, Says BBC Studios Unscripted Boss Ondine Viñao & Ivy Freeman-Attwood On Their Buzzy EIFF Competition Title 'Two Neighbors': "It's Not Fucking Saltburn" Asked if 5 will be sold, Paramount's UK chief content officer told the Edinburgh TV Festival: 'No. I had a conversation with the new boss, who said he was very keen on Channel 5. We can do a lot more for the business. He speaks my kind of language.' Frow has transformed 5 into a thriving network, known for shows including All Creatures Great and Small, during his 13-year tenure as head of content. Channel 5's future has been a source of speculation, with a source telling Deadline last month that the mood among the network's staffers is 'anxious' as they await more news about their future. 'There's so much nervousness because there's so much change,' added the ex-employee. Frow's comments in Edinburgh could soothe some of these concerns, with the content chief seemingly being reassured by his conversation with his new bosses. Frow was unflinchingly honest about Channel 5's fortunes, saying it had a difficult start to the year in terms of ratings as the network attempted to wrestle back viewers from the streamers. 'It's a tough time for linear television,' he said. He also appeared to take a shot at his Channel 4 counterpart, Ian Katz. Asked about Katz lamenting the lack of originality in British TV, Frow said: 'If you look at the Channel 4 schedule, it's completely different to how it was seven years ago under Jay Hunt, so he's a genius.' Best of Deadline 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025 TV Cancellations: Photo Gallery Everything We Know About 'The Boys' Prequel Series 'Vought Rising' So Far Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Channel 5 boss announces ‘axe' of 80s reboot after one series – and there's still an episode that has never aired
CHANNEL 5 has confirmed that Challenge Anneka is officially axed - a year after it was pulled off-air. The TV channel tried to revive the iconic 80s series, starring Anneka Rice, in 2024, but after just three episodes it was pulled from schedules due to poor ratings. 6 6 6 Speaking today, the team confirmed the series will not be recommissioned, but didn't comment if the final episode is yet to air. Channel 5's Ben Frow said: "We realised two weeks before we put it out, it's a make up show, and they did home renovation shows since then. "The world changed so much, what Annika was doing – which was innovative 30 years ago – was [different to] now, and we won't go there again." On Challenge Anneka, Rice was given a two-to-three day deadline for a massive task to help a local community. The host then had to use her charm to get free labour and donations to complete her mission. Channel 5 picked up the series for a four-episode reboot and placed on primetime Saturday night in their scheduling. Initially, it seemed like it could be a success, with 1.25million viewers tuning in to see Anneka back in action. However, after battling against juggernaut Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and BBC's Starstruck, the show saw a dramatic ratings clump, and just two episodes later it was canned. At the time, a spokesperson said: 'The public and critical reaction to Challenge Anneka's return has been amazing and we have decided to preserve the remaining two shows and reschedule them soon. "We want to preserve the series to ensure that each episode gets the best audience possible." The first episode saw Anneka help a struggling dog rescue project at Foal Farm to build new facilities, while episode two focused on the growth of a food hub charity. Episode three was declared a "Dementia Special" in partnership with Age UK, with the team building a "memory village" for those with the syndrome, which sees brain function - particularly memory - decline. However, the final episode – which is meant to show Anneka and her team helping out Luton Sea and Royal Marine Cadets – is yet to ever make it to screen. In the challenge, the team have to design a medal for outstanding achievement, as well as refurbishing their cadets' training facilities, giving their overnight accommodation, training boats and equipment an overhaul. 6 6 6
Metro
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘The terrible TV show that almost bankrupted my channel'
The reboot of The X-Files 'almost broke' Channel 5, the broadcaster's chief content officer has revealed. Ben Frow was speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival when he slated the revival series starring David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as agents Mulder and Scully. Frow was asked to reveal his favourite TV shows of the last 50 years, naming the hugely influential sci-fi series which first aired from 1993 to 2002. It was revived in 2016, with additional episodes airing in 2018, and the first episode at the time drew in the biggest audience in Channel 5's history for a drama. Over 5million TV viewers tuned in live or caught up online the week after it was broadcast. It was the biggest show launch since Celebrity Big Brother hit Channel 5 screens in 2011. But Frow told the crowd at Edinburgh TV Festival The X-Files was a 'rubbish mega series'. 'We put a lot of money into that – it almost broke us.' The conversation was unusually honest, with Frow admitting the first six months of 2025 had been 'grim' for Channel 5. He also called two of its most highly-anticipated series, reboots of Challenge Anneka and Faking It, 'disasters'. 'I was stunned Faking it was such a disaster,' he said. 'It was so brilliantly made.' The noughties life-swapping show was rebooted this year. Every episode of Faking It saw a plucky volunteer dropped into a foreign world, with just four weeks to get to grips with a new skill and convince a panel of experts they're the genuine article. Frow explained: 'I think in the New World Order you don't have to watch a show to get what the show is so we kind of encourage people not to watch the programme, but I was very surprised. 'I also wonder if Faking It as a title since fake news came – you know, it was 20 years ago.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Challenge Anneka was another flop for Channel 5, but in hindsight Frow said he knew it was doomed before it even made it to air. More Trending Originally airing on BBC from 1989 to 1995, the show followed Anneka Rice being given a task without any prior knowledge, with a tight deadline to complete it. usually in aid for a charitable cause. But Challenge Anneka's second lease of life was quickly cut off and its final episode never even aired. It was ditched from Channel 5's weekend schedule after just two episodes. 'We realised about two weeks before we put it out, 'Hang on a minute. This is just a big makeover show.' We've had big home renovation shows since then and the world has changed so much that what Annika was doing was really ambitious 20, 30 years ago,' Frow said. View More » The X-Files and Faking It are available to stream on Channel 5. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Love Is Blind's Katisha doesn't deserve your judgement MORE: Princess Andre's ITV docuseries changed my mind about her MORE: Katie Price makes bold statement about relationship with daughter Princess
Scottish Sun
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Huge boost for snooker fans as free-to-air TV channel snaps up rights to broadcast major events for first time ever
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW TV deal has ensured three major ranking snooker tournaments will remain on free-to-air TV. The British Open, Players Championship and Tour Championship will all be broadcast live on 5 next season. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Three major snooker ranking events are staying on free-to-air TV Credit: Getty 2 Kyren Wilson will defend his Players Championship crown live on 5 Credit: Getty The WST has penned the "pioneering agreement" with the terrestrial channel. It will see all three tournaments broadcast on 5 from 2026. Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, 5 and Paramount UK said: "We are delighted to bring the World Snooker Tour to 5. "The Tour Championship, Players Championship and British Open are top-ranking tournaments featuring the world's best players and making them available to view on free-to-air TV continues our mission to keep elite live sport accessible for fans across the UK." Next year's Players Championship will run from February 16-22 at the Telford International Centre. Last year's edition of the tournament was shown live on ITV. It will feature the top 16 ranked players from the rankings, with Kyren Wilson the defending champion. WST Chairman Steve Dawson added: "We are delighted to be working with 5 for the first time and to add a new broadcaster to our tour. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "Snooker has a long history of providing fans with free-to-air events with extensive live coverage so this is fantastic news for everyone who follows our sport. "The Players Championship and Tour Championship are elite events contested only by the best of the best. Ronnie O'Sullivan is BACK with Strictly star Laila Rouass as they ditch Essex for shock new life abroad "Players are striving all season to climb the one year list and earn a place in these prestigious tournaments. "And from 2026, 5 will also broadcast the British Open which is a historic event with its own unique identity including a random draw. "We look forward to working with the 5 team on these events and ensuring that an outstanding product is delivered to snooker's consistently huge audience. "Our sport had incredible viewing figures throughout last season and we expect to see that trend continue as we grow across the world." The Tour Championship runs from March 30 to April 5, 2026 at Manchester Central. It will be followed by the British Open in September.
