But Channel 4 says it's not about money

Channel 4 has axed The Big Narstie Show – but insists the decision was not part of its cost-cutting measures.

The chat show – which featured comic Mo Gilligan as the rapper’s co-host – has run for five series since 2018.

But the broadcaster has decided not to go ahead with a sixth, with an insider telling trade website Deadline the cancellation was part of a 'natural evolution' of its schedule.

Channel 4 is currently facing a budget squeeze, with rising production costs and declining advertising revenue.

But the broadcaster said: ‘The decision not to recommission a sixth series of The Big Narstie Show is not part of our response to challenges in the advertising market.

‘We are immensely proud of the five series we have made of this innovative Bafta-winning show but we have to look carefully at what we commission each year to make sure we continue to innovate and offer viewers a varied range of programming.’

Channel 4 executive Ian Katz  has said that they would be commissioning ‘relatively little over the summer months’.

Last week, the broadcaster reduced the number of episodes of The Last Leg to save money, while it also axed reality show  Four Weddings while production was under way.

 The Big Narstie Show show is made Expectation – which also produces The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan, whose fourth series ends tonight – and  the rapper’s own company, Dice Productions.

Published: 16 Jun 2023