I think the huge launch figures were due to three factors...
The enormous hype
The relative lack of competition
Riding the successful coat-tails of BB3!!!
The BB3 launch was relatively low key. I don't think there were great expectations for it. BB2 had little tension at the end as Brian was virtually a dead cert winner. So there was some doubt as to whether there would be much of an audience for BB3. As it turned out BB3 had issues from week one with Lynn and Spencer, Jade and various hms, and the leaving of Sunita.
BB3 built week by week and ended on a mountain top!! The producers must have been ecstatic with their hms and couldn't believe their luck.
Many of the BB3 hms still have relatively high profiles compared to previous hms at the same relative point in time. There were several 'run-up' shows on various channels to cash in on their notoriety.
The Tabloids were also relatively slow off the mark last year for the same reason. This year, they've been well ahead of the game with all the hype but it looks like they may not get quite the following of BB3 unless something stirs the hms up.
Can they all be as 'nice' as they seem?
Do the producers really think they'll get the 'romance' they're really after?
So far, I couldn't care less!
:yawn:
