Channel 4 exits The Circle after three series

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 07 May 2021

Channel 4 decides not to proceed with new episodes of The Circle, with a move to Netflix thought to be in the works.

Channel 4 has decided not to proceed with future series of The Circle, the broadcaster has confirmed.

The reality show sees strangers move into an apartment block and communicate with each other solely through a social messaging platform known as The Circle.

The format first aired on Channel 4 in 2018 and has run for three series, as well as a celebrity edition, with the most recent series finishing up last month.

The show has delivered decent - albeit not blockbuster ratings - for the broadcaster and in a statement C4 confirmed the show is being dropped to make room for new commissions.

"The Circle has been a huge hit for young audiences and has grown successively over three seasons on Channel 4, consistently outperforming slot averages," a spokesperson said.

"We're incredibly proud to have worked with Studio Lambert North and Motion Content Group to invest in such an innovative show and to have given it a springboard for its international format success.

"In much the same way as when we originally commissioned The Circle, Channel 4 has a responsibility to continually look at how we reinvent and create space for new ideas, and so we have decided not to commission the show for a fourth season. We'd like to thank Studio Lambert, Motion and all those involved for The Circle's huge success over the last three series."

Netflix, which releases American and Brazilian versions of the show, among others, is now thought to be in talks about taking over the UK edition.

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