Reality TV audiences fall

Reality TV, recently acclaimed as the magic bullet to solve ratings problems, is facing a viewer crisis, according to new figures.

The BBC was hailing its multi million-pound talent search Fame Academy as a massive success, with audience figures of
7.7 million. But earlier this year ITV's Pop Idol was bringing in audiences of up to 15 million.

The shine also appears to be coming off ITV's, Popstars. When the first series climaxed in 2001 with the creation of Hear'Say, nearly 13 million viewers switched on. By the end of the second series, Popstars: The Rivals, the ratings had fallen to around eight million.

Poor ratings have prompted speculation that ITV plans to delay an expected second series of Pop Idol.

The second series of Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, which saw former Take That star Mark Owen triumph against Melinda Messenger and Sue Perkins, managed just over seven million for its climax. Not all reality shows have seen their audiences decline - the climax of Channel 4's Big Brother this year was watched by more than 10 million. ITV's I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here ended on a high with more than 10 million.

But recent ratings declines herald the end of the honeymoon period for reality talent shows which seemed unstoppable six months ago, and executives will have to think carefully about whether they are simply rehashing old formulas.

The BBC is staying tightlippedon whether it plans to commission a new series of Fame Academy. BBC controller of entertainment Jane Lush said she and other BBC executives would decide in the new year.