'Big Brother 9' launched with 5.4m viewers, lower than the 6.2m viewers that 'Big Brother 8' attracted last year. Following the launch it dipped to around 3m viewers, the level it has maintained throughout the rest of the series.
Despite speculation about the future of 'Big Brother' and reality TV in general, Channel 4 continues to invest in the programme and is rumoured to be planning the return of 'Celebrity Big Brother' next year.
Series 9 of 'Big Brother' hasn't been without controversy. Ofcom has received over 4,000 complaints during the course of the series, including over 1,500 about housemates Rex and Darnell's treatment of fellow contestant Sarah, who was called an "ugly bitch" and a "slut".
Channel 4 also had to remove two housemates from the 'Big Brother' house for unacceptable behaviour. Alex was removed after issuing threats from her gangster friends to fellow housemates, while Dennis was axed after he spat in the face of Mohamed.
Virgin Mobile signed up to sponsor 'Big Brother' this year despite its reputation for controversy. It has aired more than 80 idents, created by Rainey Kelly Campbell Roalfe/Y&R, during the 13 weeks of the series on Channel 4.
Last year, Virgin Mobile's parent Virgin Media was the title sponsor and used the exposure to push its "quad-play" range, from Virgin Mobile to its cable TV, broadband and phone offering.
Virgin stepped in for 'Big Brother 8' after Carphone Warehouse dropped its sponsorship amid the race row ructions caused by the bullying of Indian film star Shilpa Shetty in 'Celebrity Big Brother' at the start of 2007.
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