MUMBAI: UK broadcaster Channel 5 has signed a new two-year deal with Initial, an Endemol company, for exclusive rights to broadcast Big Brother until the end of 2014. Since Big Brother?s launch on Channel 5 in 2011, five million new viewers have come to the Channel 5 family.

According to the broadcaster, the launch of Celebrity Big Brother in August 2011 was the most popular commissioned show in the channel?s 15-year history. Celebrity Big Brother has averaged three million viewers during its two runs.

While ?Celebrity Big Brother? was on air (2011, 2012 series), Channel 5 was the most popular commercial channel amongst young people across the 9.-11pm slot.

The first ?classic? series of public Big Brother (September 2011) averaged 1.7 million over its 10-week run, with viewing to the 9-11pm slot increasing by 54 per cent amongst 16-34-year-olds.

In addition, during the traditional summer run of Big Brother this year, Channel 5 will also be airing a second celebrity series of 2012 following the ?classic? series. Brian Dowling will be returning to present the main live show.

Big Brother?s spin-off show ?Bit On the Side? will also be returning with host Emma Willis, who will be joined by Jamie East. TV?s most iconic voiceover artist Marcus Bentley will also be returning to report on the housemates? antics.

Internationally, 25 series of Big Brother were broadcast in 87 countries in 2011 and the format continues to be a breakout hit in the major markets including the USA, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Latin America and in Central and Eastern Europe.

Channel 5 director of programmes Jeff Ford said, ?We?re hugely excited to have secured the return of Big Brother for Channel 5 which will continue to form a key part our programming schedule. The show so far has captivated the energy and vibrancy of the channel and we are looking forward to continuing this successful relationship.?

Initial creative director Nick Samwell-Smith said, "We are delighted with the success of Big Brother on Channel 5. The show continues to thrive and I?m thrilled to be renewing our partnership with the channel for another two years."

Channel 5 head of factual entertainment Steve Gowans will oversee the new series of Big Brother. The series will continue to be filmed in its original home of Elstree Film Studios, produced by Endemol UK production arm Initial.

MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Time Warner is believed to be looking at buying television format creator and executive producer Endemol.

Reports indicate that it is bidding $1.4 billion for Endemol which makes and markets formats like ?Big Brother?.

Endemol is looking to re-organise 2.8 billion euros in debt.

However, there is also talk that Endemol might reject offers. Endemol is co-owned by Silvio Berlusconi?s Mediaset, Goldman Sachs? Capital Partners and Endemol founder John De Mol?s investment vehicle Cyrte.

Reports add that Mediaset has joined forces with Clessidra, an Italian private equity group, to buy Endemol.