Graham Norton’s ITV series The Neighbourhood is the latest reality show to face challenges despite having a well-known host and an intriguing concept. The new gameshow, which features a £250,000 prize and a complex set, follows a ‘neighbourhood’ of people forming alliances, keeping secrets, and climbing the social ladder in order to secure the lucrative prize pot. However, since its debut, the show has struggled with low viewership and negative feedback from audiences.
The programme has seen as few as 540,000 viewers tuning in, which is far below what ITV might have hoped for. This isn’t the first time a high-profile show has faced similar issues. For example, David Tennant’s Genius Game was cancelled after one season due to poor ratings and mixed reactions, despite a reported budget of £2.5m. Meanwhile, Claudia Winkleman’s new chat show, which followed the success of The Traitors, hasn’t made the same impact that some had anticipated.
This trend highlights the importance of a TV host in guiding viewers through the complexities of a reality show, especially one with a new format. While big names used to be enough to guarantee a show’s success, it seems that this is no longer the case.
James Buckley-Thorp, a reality star on The Inheritance, shared his thoughts on how the role of celebrity hosts has evolved. “I’m 37, I remember when you’d hear that X, Y, Z is going to host – like Big Brother with Davina McCall – like ‘I’ll give that a go, because I like her.’ It doesn’t seem to be working in the same way anymore. Celebrity-ism has become so wide now, and there are so many different niches, it’s very hard to find that one celebrity that will please the entire family.”
When a show relies heavily on high-profile talent, it also faces increased pressure to deliver quickly. James pointed to The Inheritance, which was hosted by Rob Rinder and Elizabeth Hurley. “I think the expectation is ruining the whole purpose that we’re watching a reality TV game show. It sets it up for failure in a way. And it seems to me, they use these, these big names [often expensive] aren’t turning around the viewership that they’re aiming for.”
According to talent manager and media expert Alex Segel, the landscape has changed significantly. “Before social media, there were really only TV stars or film stars. Now there are many more. So everyone has a different version of who they consider famous in their life. Before creators became a thing, and there weren’t other people to watch. You would all have to watch Graham Norton.”
While Graham Norton remains a beloved figure, the competition is fierce. Similarly, Claudia Winkleman’s show may have suffered from a format that didn’t resonate as strongly as expected. Although it averaged around 1.5 million viewers, critics and fans have been more critical than anticipated.
“Claudia is, without a doubt, the number one TV presenter in the country,” Alex said. “But things take time, and you have to let it breathe. And number two, is this what people want? Do people want more chat shows right now? Every YouTube show that somebody watches right now is a chat show.”
The situation is not unique to these shows. With a growing number of reality TV formats emerging rapidly, capturing and retaining audience attention has become increasingly difficult. Recent years have seen shows like Rise and Fall, Fortune Hotel, Handcuffed, Virgin Island, and The Box come and go, often without long-term success.
James reflected on the challenge of proving a show’s worth. “If it’s not hitting immediately, it’s very unlikely you’ll ever get a second season, even if you and figures get to above average.” He believes The Inheritance wasn’t given a fair chance. While the show started with 540,000 viewers, it grew to an average of 1.5 million by the finale, according to The Mirror.
Despite these challenges, some shows have managed to succeed. Handcuffed, hosted by Jonathan Ross on Channel 4, received a second season greenlight even though it didn’t crack the top 50 in its finale. Broadcasters are clearly trying to replicate the success of The Traitors, but the path to a hit is fraught with risks.
Alex acknowledged the gamble involved. “Graham Norton didn’t need to take The Neighbourhood. He’s a megastar. He’s got his podcast, he’s got his books, he’s got Eurovision, he’s got the Graham Norton Show. But he didn’t want to get stale. He’s taken a bit of a risk, and I think he should be applauded for that.”
Ultimately, the bar for success has never been higher. A format now needs to be exceptional, not just good. “The reality is, most shows are good, but very few are truly standout,” Alex concluded.
The Neighbourhood airs on ITV tonight at 9pm.
Got a story? If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures, get in touch with the co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Comment now
Comments
Add as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
Want to get bespoke updates on the TV shows you love? Sign up to *’s TV newsletters and tell us which ones you can’t get enough of.
