Channel 4 Statement Re: Ofcom Adjudication [re:Big Brother]

Statement from Channel 4

Following the publication today of Ofcom's findings in relation to Big Brother, Channel 4 issued the following statement:

"We are pleased that, following Ofcom's investigation into a number of complaints about this year's Big Brother, only one was upheld*.

Lively competition and confrontation are part of the appeal of a game show like Big Brother. Very occasionally, during live streaming of Big Brother on E4 we have to make difficult judgements about what makes acceptable viewing. Although feelings were clearly running very high on 17 June, the argument primarily involved pushing and shouting.  The producers at the Elstree studio were very confident that the situation in the house was under their control and that all the BB competitors were safe. Although these were not comfortable scenes to watch, they decided that the events in the house should be relayed to viewers until the shouting had abated to reassure viewers that the outcome was not as bad as they might otherwise have imagined.

Ofcom took a different view and we must accept their decision. "

*This was in relation to the live streaming on E4 of the argument in the house in the early hours of 17 June following the re-introduction of Emma and Michelle the previous evening after housemates thought they had been evicted.