In a shocking move, ITV has pulled Graham Norton’s new reality series The Neighbourhood from its primetime slot after a series of dismal ratings and reviews. Originally expected to be the highlight of the network’s lineup, the show has now been relegated to a “graveyard” slot, airing at 10:45 PM, following the evening news.
Despite a grand launch and an enormous promotional budget, The Neighbourhood has failed to capture viewers’ attention. The show debuted with 1.2 million viewers, but by the third episode, that number had dropped to just 500,000—a far cry from the network’s expectations.
Filmed in the picturesque Derbyshire, the show sees real-life families compete for a £250,000 prize in a series of games. However, it seems the formula hasn’t resonated with audiences. ITV has decided to release the entire series on its streaming platform, ITVX, where it has reportedly performed better than on traditional television.
In embarrassing U-turn, ITV has now relegated Graham’s brand new reality show The Neighbourhood to the ‘graveyard’ slot mid-series, amid poor reviews and plummeting ratings
The show’s plummeting viewership comes as a blow to Norton, who has built a reputation as a reliable ratings winner with The Graham Norton Show on the BBC. Fans and critics alike have been vocal in their disappointment, with some calling it “drivel TV” and others describing it as “the biggest load of rubbish.” While some viewers have defended the show, claiming it’s a fun watch, many others have criticized the lack of engagement and excitement, with The Guardian even dubbing it “tired reality TV.”
The Neighbourhood debuted in the middle of the I’m A Celebrity finale last month in a bid to attract the attention of the jungle show’s loyal viewers
In an attempt to replicate the success of The Traitors, The Neighbourhood sought to attract fans of reality competition shows. However, it seems the show’s quirky design and lackluster energy couldn’t capture the same magic.
With the show now heading to ITVX, insiders hope it might still find an audience, though its future remains uncertain.
