Ben Frow to Leave 5 After 14 Years as Channel Chief Who Axed Big Brother

Ben Frow, the television executive who ended Channel 5’s run of Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother, is to leave the broadcaster after 14 years in charge of its content strategy. Frow will step down from his role as Chief Content Officer next summer before departing Skydance at the end of next year.

Frow has been one of the most influential figures in the modern history of 5, overseeing a major shift in the channel’s programming priorities. During his tenure, the broadcaster moved away from relying on established reality formats towards a greater emphasis on original drama, factual entertainment and distinctive commissions.

But his decision to axe Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother remains one of the defining moments of his time at the channel. Frow made little secret of his dislike of the reality shows occupying large portions of the primetime schedule, and their departure marked a significant change in the broadcaster’s identity.

Although the channel has since built a reputation for popular returning dramas and factual series, some of those programmes have struggled to match the audience figures achieved by Big Brother at its peak.

From Big Brother to original drama

When Frow took charge of Channel 5’s content strategy, Big Brother was one of the broadcaster’s most recognisable properties. The channel had acquired the format from Channel 4 in 2011, bringing both the civilian and celebrity versions to a new home.

Under Frow, however, the broadcaster eventually moved on from the franchise, ending its run on Channel 5 in 2018. The decision reflected a wider shift in priorities, with the channel looking to invest more heavily in original programming rather than committing substantial amounts of its schedule and budget to a single reality format.

Frow redirected resources towards scripted drama and returning factual series, helping establish a different identity for the broadcaster. While the approach delivered programmes that attracted loyal audiences and critical attention, it also meant moving away from a format that had once provided a major source of primetime entertainment and conversation.

The subsequent return of Big Brother on ITV in 2023 demonstrated that the franchise still had a place in British television, even after its departure from Channel 5.

All Creatures Great and Small becomes a flagship hit

One of Frow’s most significant successes has been the revival of All Creatures Great and Small, which became one of 5’s best-known returning dramas.

The adaptation of James Herriot’s books brought a warm, traditional period drama to the channel and helped establish a dependable presence in its schedule. Its success demonstrated that 5 could build a strong identity around returning scripted programmes rather than relying primarily on acquired formats and reality television.

Frow also backed Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild, the long-running factual series following people who have chosen unconventional lives away from mainstream society. The programme became another recognisable part of the channel’s offering, combining travel, personal stories and an interest in alternative ways of living.

Other commissions included a new version of 10 Years Younger, part of a broader attempt to revisit familiar television formats for contemporary audiences. The results of these revivals were mixed, illustrating the difficulty of bringing back established brands while finding something new to say.

Frow also oversaw the return of Play for Today, the influential drama strand associated with some of British television’s most memorable single plays. Its revival signalled an interest in giving original storytelling a place on the channel, alongside established series and factual entertainment.

Live sport and a new look for 5

Frow’s ambitions extended beyond drama and factual programming. During his tenure, 5 introduced live sport, including NFL coverage and the Tour de France, broadening the channel’s range and offering viewers events that had traditionally been associated with other broadcasters.

The channel also commissioned a new version of Monarch of the Glen, revisiting another established television title as part of its wider investment in familiar brands.

At the same time, its daytime schedule underwent a substantial overhaul. Low-cost debate and discussion programmes became a prominent feature of the daytime line-up, providing hours of studio-based television while allowing the broadcaster to manage production costs.

The channel’s branding changed repeatedly during Frow’s leadership, too. It moved from Five to Channel 5 and eventually adopted the simplified name 5, reflecting successive attempts to sharpen its identity and position in an increasingly competitive television market.

Taken together, these changes show the breadth of Frow’s influence: from the decision to abandon a major reality franchise to the development of returning dramas, factual series, live sport and a different approach to daytime programming.

Departure follows a decline in profits

Frow’s announcement comes as 5 faces a challenging financial environment. The broadcaster has reported a year-on-year profit decline of £24.5 million, equivalent to around US$32 million.

Skydance has said it remains committed to building on the network’s performance as part of its broader media strategy. Frow’s departure will therefore come at a time when the broadcaster’s future programming mix and spending priorities are likely to remain under scrutiny.

With pressure on television advertising and production budgets, the balance between original commissions, established library titles and content from across the wider corporate group will be an important consideration for the channel.

The suggestion that 5 could carry more Paramount and Warner content as a result of the financial pressure remains a possibility rather than a confirmed programming decision.

‘The best job in the world’

In an internal memo seen by Deadline, Frow reflected on his time at the broadcaster and confirmed that he would remain in place to help with the transition.

“I have always said that this was the best job in the world, and I’ve absolutely loved my time at 5,” Frow was quoted as saying. “But after 14 years where I’ve achieved everything I wanted to and more, it seems like the right time to hand over and give someone else a go. This isn’t a good bye just yet and I’ll be around to support Reemah and the team with a smooth transition.”

Frow is due to step down as Chief Content Officer next summer, although he will remain connected to Skydance until the end of next year.

His departure will bring to a close a period in which 5 changed both its programming priorities and its public identity. His supporters can point to the success of All Creatures Great and Small, Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild and the channel’s expanded range of commissions. Critics may point to the loss of Big Brother, a format that continued to attract interest after moving to ITV.

Whatever the verdict on individual decisions, Frow leaves behind a channel that looks markedly different from the one he inherited — and a legacy that will be debated long after he has handed over the reins.

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