Channel 4 Revamps Daytime TV Amid Budget Cuts with New ‘A Place In The Sun’ Spin-Off
Channel 4 has announced its plans for the future of a beloved daytime TV staple amidst a series of budget reductions. The much-loved property show, A Place In The Sun, which pairs prospective buyers with real estate experts to find their ideal home abroad, has been a viewer favorite since 2002.
Despite financial constraints, Channel 4 has greenlit a new installment of the popular spin-off, A Place In The Sun: What Happened Next. This series will bring back presenters like Jasmine Harman and Laura Hamilton to revisit individuals they’ve previously helped move abroad, reconnecting with house hunters they’ve aided in their quest for the perfect overseas abode, as reported by The Sun.
Daytime commissioner Jo Street commented on the continuation of the series: “A Place in the Sun is such a beloved show, and we know the audience really cares what happens to the house-hunters once the cameras leave. What a treat to catch up and see what happened when that offer was finally accepted.”
For two decades, A Place In The Sun has consistently captured the hearts of viewers. A recent episode saw a couple abandon their search after facing challenges in locating their dream vacation home, reports the Mirror.
Jasmine ventured to the Canary Islands to assist retired architect Nick and ex-journalist Tim in their pursuit of an ideal dwelling. However, Jasmine informed the audience that this particular search was one of her “trickiest” to date.
The announcement of the new spin-off series follows Channel 4’s implementation of significant cutbacks across its programming. The broadcaster has already axed several shows, including Danny Dyer’s Scared Of The Dark and The Andrew Neil Show, which delved into political and current affairs.
In a sweeping change, Channel 4 also shut down five of its traditional channels at the end of June, marking a step in its ambitious five-year strategy to pivot towards streaming and establish itself as a “digital-first” public service broadcaster by 2030. The closure affected all The Box music channels, while the future of More4, E4 Extra, and 4Seven remains uncertain.
Channel 4 had previously confirmed these changes to The Sun, with a spokesperson stating: “As we announced earlier this year as part of Channel 4’s digital-first Fast Forward strategy, we will be closing our Box network of channels from 1 July across all platforms – as they are no longer of sufficient scale to deliver a meaningful return on investment.”
They added, “Our strategy reflects the generational shift in TV viewing and involves reducing costs, particularly in linear activities – to allow us to invest in digital priorities and stay competitive in a world of global entertainment conglomerates and social media giants.”