Channel 4 ‘AXES fan favourite Christmas show’ – as it becomes latest casualty amid claims the broadcaster is battling to cut costs
Channel 4 have reportedly axed fan favourite show The Greatest Snowman after two years amid claims the broadcaster is battling to cut costs.
The competition show hosted by Sue Perkins followed a group of celebs as they travel to the Alps to compete in a series of snow building challenges.
Following two successful specials in 2021 and 2022, which averaged over 1.8M viewers, Channel 4 are now believed to have pulled the plug, according to TV Zone.
Celebs who appeared in the snowy competition included Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Jonny Vegas and Gemma Collins.
MailOnline have contacted Channel 4 for comment.
Channel 4 have reportedly axed fan favourite show The Greatest Snowman after two years amid claims the broadcaster is battling to cut costs (host Sue Perkins pictured)
The competition show hosted by Sue Perkins followed a group of celebs as they travel to the Alps to compete in a series of snow building challenges (contestant Melvin Odoom pictured)
In October it was announced Steph’s Packed Lunch had been axed after just three years.
A statement said: ‘With audience habits changing quicker than ever, we have to make difficult decisions about which programmes to invest in to best drive our digital-first strategy and we have decided not to recommission Steph’s Packed Lunch when its existing production contract ends in December 2023.
‘We remain as committed as ever to our mission to help level up the TV industry outside London and to our 50% origination out-of-London target.
‘We will be reinvesting the budget previously committed to Steph’s Packed Lunch into other nations and regions productions.’
Steph’s Packed Lunch has been axed after just three years, the broadcaster has announced.
A spokesperson for the producers, Expectation and Can Can told MailOnline: ‘We’ve had over three fantastic years producing Steph’s Packed Lunch together and working with the brilliant Steph McGovern and the outstanding on-screen family of talent. We’re very disappointed that despite building a loyal audience we don’t get to continue brightening up 12-2 on Channel 4.
‘Leeds didn’t have a live television community four years ago and it’s been a privilege to build a team which boasts some of the brightest, sharpest TV producers in the country.’
Cast and crew have been informed that the last show will air in December.
Following two successful specials in 2021 and 2022, which averaged over 1.8M viewers, Channel 4 are now believed to have pulled the plug (Gemma Collins pictured)
Celebs who appeared in the snowy competition included Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Jonny Vegas and Gemma Collins
The show, which debuted in 2020 and is broadcast from Leeds Dock, is live and features items including showbiz interviews and news segments.
It comes after ITV’s This Morning poached Channel 4’s exec producer Vivek Sharmar, who worked alongside Steph.
Vivek is reportedly ‘a huge champion’ of Steph – meaning the star is now in the running to take over from Holly Willoughby.
When asked by The Sun at the Attitude about whether she would be interested in a move, Steph replied: ‘I’m very happy at Channel 4 doing Steph’s Packed Lunch but never say never.’
In October it was announced Steph’s Packed Lunch had been axed after just three years
The axe comes amid a slew of cancellations with the broadcaster reportedly battling to cut costs amid financial challenges.
Controversial cult late-night show Naked Attraction, big-money celebrity flop Scared Of The Dark and groundbreaking medical documentary Rescue: Extreme Medics, based in Scotland, have all been canned.
A source said that the channel believes it is better to cut its losses.
But staff blame Chief Content Officer, Ian Katz, for wasting money on expensive but little-watched shows such as reality series Rise And Fall, which is understood to have cost the channel £14million – money which could not be justified because of its low ratings.
One insider said: ‘Everyone is calling it a Channel 4 bloodbath. At first everyone was in total shock when [earlier reality show] Four Weddings was cancelled.
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