Media News
C4 deal for Jonathan Ross on hold
Saturday 20 March 2010
The presenter, who began his on-screen career with C4, has been in discussions with the channel ahead of his BBC contract ending this summer.
But it is understood these have been "parked" until incoming chief executive David Abraham arrives in the next few weeks.
Bosses are wary of signing such a major deal until the new head discusses the shape and direction for C4 as it reinvigorates its schedules in the wake of Big Brother.
The reality series will begin its final run on the channel in May, the same month Abrahams is expected to take up his role.
Head of Channel 4 Julian Bellamy indicated earlier this year that he was keen on Ross.
"I'm a huge fan. I think he's a brilliant talent. He's a friend of the channel, he started at the channel. Certainly we are in touch, and let's see where it goes," he said in an interview.
A decision about whether to continue the discussion will be among the early items in Abraham's in-tray when he arrives from multi-channel broadcaster UKTV, where he has been chief executive.
A spokesman for Channel 4 said: "We continue to talk to Jonathan about working together."
The deal would have led to around 20 programmes each year for two years.
It could have been worth up to £5m a year to Ross's production company although this would cover all programme-making costs and the presenter's fee would have been only a small proportion of that.
Ross has continued to work for the broadcaster occasionally, including appearances on 'The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year'.
Click here for Terms of use
|
Top 10 Most Read
Must Watch TV
-
- The Late Late Show
You can be guaranteed that Ryan Tubridy will host a stellar line-up of high-profile guests, current social issues will get an airing and he'll introduce the very best in all-round entertainment, plus a fabulous prize for someone at home! What more could you ask for from your Friday night viewing?
-
- Who Knows Ireland Best?
Derek Mooney hosts as two teams compete to see who is most in touch and who has their finger on the pulse. Points are awarded for being in agreement with the majority of a survey of 1,000 people across the country. This week, three agricultural consultants (Tom Dawson, Tipperary; Julie Roche, Cork; and Mike Brady, Cork) go head-to-head with three auctioneers (Nora Meaney, Sharon O'Leary and Maura Fenlon, all from Carlow) to see who is more in tune with the nation.
-
- The Big C
As the rest of the neighbourhood gets ready for Hallowe'en, Cathy prepares to start a clinical trial she hopes will cure her cancer. Yet just when Cathy needs him, Paul has to deal with a series of problems at work. And as they are arriving at the hospital, Cathy's search for a parking spot ends with her harmlessly hitting another patient with her car. Meanwhile, as Adam grows increasingly agitated by his mom's illness, Sean's Hallowe'en plans lead him to suspect that Marlene's ghost is haunting his house.
-
- Hustle
Albert decides to pay a nostalgic visit to an old haunt, only to find it's been pulled down by ruthless property tycoon and former '80s game show host, Dale Ridley (played by Mark Williams) in this week's episode. Posing as international businessmen, the team lure Dale into a scam, convincing him to purchase the television studios that fired him in his showbiz heyday on their behalf. Will the temptation to get revenge on his old employers be enough to trick the greedy entrepreneur?
-
- Safari Vet School
Thirty-two vet students are at one of the toughest vet schools in the world in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Under the guiding hand of Chief Vet, Dr Will Fowlds, the students tackle everything from lions to rhinos to giraffes and elephants. In tonight's episode, TV vet Steve Leonard who presents the show is pushed to his limits when he's left in charge of 16 vet students and a hall of 100 barking dogs while Cambridge student Nadia gets a second chance at being a team leader.