Greek commercial net Skai will hope to fix its ratings with the revival of Big Brother. Endemol Shine Group announced that the channel has picked the rights to the show which will make a comeback on Greek screens after a hiatus of 10 years. The format was last aired by Alpha TV.

The announcement was made in Cannes at an exclusive, invitation-only cocktail event to celebrate 20 years of the format’s success; with Greece becoming the fifth market to bring back the global hit. This follows the recent announcement that it will be returning to Swedish screens after five years away as Endemol Shine Group’s Swedish production company Meter are set to produce a brand-new run for TV4.

The format has already successfully returned to Poland and Finland this year, both of which were filmed in existing locations using new technology, as well as Germany where the civilian version will be brought back in 2020, following several popular celebrity editions and a five-year break.

Big Brother is enjoying one of its best years yet and is constantly being renewed internationally with 22 productions in 18 markets confirmed to air in 2019.

Evi Koutsaftaki, CEO of Skai says: “Skai feels privileged to host Big Brother on its 20th Anniversary. We are excited that one of the most emblematic television shows will air on our channel and are certain that the revamped version of Big Brother will change the Greek television landscape. Skai would really like to thank Endemol Shine Group for trusting us with their most iconic show.

CEETV reminds that Skai has been looking for a show to replace Survivor whose third season delivered disappointing ratings to the channel in spring 2019. Earlier, there were rumors in the Greek press that Big Brother could be revived with speculations of several broadcasters reportedly looking into this option.

In other news for the Greek market, Catchpoint has been commissioned in a third territory after ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) secured a deal with Alpha TV for the format to launch in Greece.

Alpha TV has ordered a minimum of 150x60 episodes. The announcement follows on from the successful launch of the show in Hungary last month on TV2 (25x60) and the news that the show has been recommissioned for a second series by BBC One in the UK, due to air next year.

The format launched in the UK in March with a peak of over 3.5m viewers and a 21% share. Presented by Paddy McGuinness and co-produced by ITV Studios labels Possessed and 12 Yard, it will return for a new run in 2020.

Pascal Dalton, Vice President, Global Format Sales for ITV Studios Global Entertainment, said: “With the show returning in the UK and also commissioned in two further territories all in the space of one year, its momentum is growing fast. Catchpoint has really intrigued our buyers with its unique combination of simple game play and physicality. It’s a key format for us at Mipcom, we’re really excited about the interest it’s receiving and looking forward to further conversations at the market.”