Has Channel Four sounded the death knell for reality TV?

Channel 4 will turn its back on the reality show - and four other successful programmes - as it aims to concentrate on new, high-quality material.

However, industry insiders believe the decision not to run the celebrity show in 2008 may herald the beginning of the end for Big Brother.

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Ratings for the current non-celebrity series are down on last year. And Channel 4 admitted yesterday that the summer version could be moved from Channel 4 to the smaller digital channel E4 in future.

Critics have accused Channel 4 of going downmarket in recent months, saying it has become over-reliant on reality, lifestyle and factual entertainment shows.

The broadcaster described its planned changes as a "creative overhaul". But the revamp is likely to cost it ratings and money.

Other programmes to be culled include Brat Camp - a reality programme which puts troublesome teenagers through a boot camp.

The dog training show It's Me Or The Dog, property programme Selling Houses Abroad and Gillian McKeith's lifestyle programme You Are What You Eat will also go.

In January, Celebrity Big Brother attracted 54,000 complaints from viewers over the alleged racist bullying of Shilpa Shetty, an Indian housemate and Bollywood actress.

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It led to a diplomatic incident that overshadowed Gordon Brown's visit to India.

Ofcom ruled earlier this year that Channel 4 had breached the broadcasting code with "serious editorial misjudgments".

The broadcaster aired three apologies ahead of the current, noncelebrity series, after it was accused of mishandling of the racist footage.

The broadcaster says the programming revamp is designed to refresh its schedules and re-assert its public service credentials.

But others believe it is a direct result of the damage Big Brother did to Channel 4's reputation.

The broadcaster has also stopped making money from phone-in competitions after several scandals across TV.

Julian Bellamy, head of programmes for the channel, said: "We have decided not to do Celebrity Big Brother on C4 in 2008, freeing up almost 30 hours of nine o'clock programming for a raft of new shows.

"In terms of Celebrity Big Brother at some point next year we will take a view on whether it returns to Channel 4 in 2009."

He said the decision to scrap it was a "public service decision".

But Kevin Lygo, Channel 4's director of TV, appeared to admit that the decision had in part been the result of January's show. He also acknowledged that this year's Big Brother was not as good as last year's had been.

The broadcaster, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, said it was giving Celebrity Big Brother "breathing space" by not showing it next year.

However, the format might return to our screens in the future, it added.

Mr Bellamy added: "One of the consequences of the race row and the Ofcom investigation was it felt that Big Brother was part of a national conversation in February, March, April, and May, when traditionally it was off our screens.

"As a result if feels like it has never been away this year so it is particularly apt to rest it."

Channel 4 chief executive Andy Duncan has previously admitted that the series has given the broadcaster an image problem.

It has also been criticised by the channel's deputy chairman Lord Puttnam.

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This year, eight million watched the opening show of Celebrity Big Brother, and 7.3million tuned in for its final programme. The show achieved an average of 4.5 million viewers.

Only last year, Channel 4 signed a new deal with producers Endemol to make the series for another three years from 2008 until 2010.

BBC STAFF ON £150,000 JUNKET

The BBC is spending about £150,000 sending almost 160 executives on a TV junket.

Although it is cutting jobs, saying it is strapped for cash, the corporation has forked out £70,000 on tickets for the Edinburgh Television Festival.

It is thought to be paying about £30,000 for accommodation and £15,000 on travel. Once other expenses are added, the real cost is believed to be more than £150,000.

Researchers and producers to senior managers across all the BBC's departments will attend the festival this weekend.

But politicians condemned the move.

Conservative MP Philip Davies, who sits on Parliament's Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said: "It strikes me as quite extraordinary that any organisation, particularly one who claims to be under financial pressure, can send this many people.

"I certainly don't think people who are struggling to pay for their licence will be impressed that it is being used for a jaunt."

The BBC said debate at the festival tends to be dominated by BBC issues. "We think it is entirely reasonable to be adequately represented at this important event."