The axing of Big Brother will deny its young audience exposure to a range of social issues, according to a former housemate.
Big Brother 2005 runner-up Tim Brunero says that despite much of the show being based on "titillation", it still provokes valuable discussion on serious topics.
"From Merlin's 'free the refugees' campaign, to racism, bullying, homosexuality, citizenship, sexism and harassment, it's all been covered," Brunero says.
"Every time the show did that, it was challenging people to think about something different.
"People who watch Big Brother don't watch Kerry O'Brien on the ABC ... it's added a forum where people can explore these important ideas."
But the vast majority of ninemsn readers who voted in a poll yesterday said they were glad to see the back of Big Brother.
More than 115,000 people said they were glad the show had been axed, while fewer than 20,000 people wanted it to continue.
Brunero, who hosts the Oh Brother blog, also believes the program's cancellation will have a far-reaching effect on the Australian entertainment and media industries.
"It's been part of our television landscape for so long that we forget how big it actually is," Brunero says.
"It runs almost every night in primetime from half an hour to up to three hours, and has the biggest TV show website and the biggest viewer participation."
The Endemol Southern Star production, which is based on the Gold Coast, employs around 300 people.
Workers, ranging from editors and cameramen to caterers and security, are typically signed to short-term contracts lasting about four months a year.
"The ripples go further than just the show," Brunero says.
"Breakfast radio is going to lose about a fifth of their talking points.
"Gossip columns, magazines and websites are going to lose a great chunk of their content, and the men's magazines are going to lose half of their pin-up girls."
Fans pinning their hopes on a Big Brother revival appear set for disappointment, with rival networks shooting down any hopes of taking on the program.
"We can categorically say we're not going to pick up Big Brother," Foxtel CEO Brian Walsh said.
"It's not commercially sound to pick up a show that's failing, and that's exactly what Big Brother is doing."
Channel Seven echoed the pay-TV channel's thoughts.
"The answer is a flat no," network spokesperson Simon Francis said.
"We have no interest whatsoever."
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