No more Big Narstie for Channel 4

Deadline has reported that Channel 4 has canned The Big Narstie Show after five series.

A source at the TV network revealed to the publication that the production companies involved in the programme have been informed there won’t be a sixth series.

Expectation Entertainment and Dice Productions were, according to the report, notified earlier this year that Channel 4 would not be renewing the format which had been speculated due to budget restraints for 2023/24.

A Channel 4 source told Deadline that the format had come to its end ‘as part of a natural evolution’ of the schedule and finacial factors were not the major factor in axing the series.

Mo Gilligan is expected to continue hosting The Lateish Show, with a Christmas Special already commissioned for December 2023.

Press reports over the past few months have suggested that Channel 4 is facing a budget review, with programmes undergoing review in terms of cost cutting, which may include reduced series length or entire termination.

The British Comedy Guide note that ‘Channel 4 executive Ian Katz acknowledged in an email to content creators this week that the broadcaster was going through a difficult spell and it would be commissioning “relatively little over the summer months”.’

The Big Narstie Show saw the rapper team up with comedian Mo Gilligan to host the late night entertainment series in 2018. Hosted in front of a studio audience the format mixed music, comedy and chat. The hour long episodes have racked up 33 editions with a 2021 BAFTA bestowed on the production for ‘Best Comedy Entertainment Programme’. Viewer reviews have been mixed.

The Lateish Show With Mo Gilligan, which airs the last episode in the series this evening, is expected to continue.