'Great British Bake Off' Moves To Channel 4: 10 More Shows That Switched Channels

How well did these shows fare when they moved on to pastures new?

‘The Great British Bake Off’ has racked up an impressive amount of headlines over the years - and that’s never been more evident than when the news came it was switching to Channel 4 at the end of its current run.

‘Bake Off’ has become an institution over the past six years, with last year’s final becoming the most-watched TV moment of 2015, so fans are understandably concerned that this might spell the end of the show’s winning streak.

However, they needn’t fear, as a switch in channels clearly doesn’t always mean there’s trouble ahead for a hit show...

'Buffy, The Vampire Slayer' (The WB to UPN)
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It was one of the surprise hits of the 1990s, but when ratings began to decline, The WB decided that 'Buffy' had run its course, and decided not to renew it after its run in 2000 was up.

They probably regretted this a year later, when series six debuted on UPN, attracting the second-highest ratings the show had ever had.
'Gladiators' (ITV to Sky1)
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'Gladiators' was a Saturday night staple for ITV back in the 1990s, nestled in with 'Stars In Their Eyes' and 'Blind Date' for the perfect night in.

When Sky announced they'd be rebooting the show in 2008, viewers were curious. It wasn't a total flop, admittedly, but failed to live up to its predecessor, eventually facing cancellation after two series in October 2009.
'Birds Of A Feather' (BBC One to ITV)
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'Birds Of A Feather' seemed like an odd choice for a reboot, when ITV announced they'd be screening new episodes of the sitcom 16 years after it ended on the BBC in 2014.

It paid off, though, with a Christmas special for 2016 currently in the works, after three successful runs on ITV.
'The Graham Norton Show' (Channel 4 to BBC)
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It was huge news when the Beeb managed to poach Graham from his home on Channel 4, where his raucous shows 'So Graham Norton' and 'V Graham Norton' won him a legion of fans.

It took two years for him to debut his self-titled talk show on the BBC, prompting speculation the broadcaster didn't know what they were doing with Graham... which, of course, proved to be completely unfounded, as 'The Graham Norton Show' is now must-watch TV.
'The Jonathan Ross Show' (BBC One to ITV)
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After the scandal of Sachs-gate had died down, Jonathan announced he was stepping down from his critically-acclaimed talk show, and landed a new deal with ITV.

He's already into his 11th series, with ITV bosses insistent that he's not going anywhere, although his most recent offering has received slightly less glowing feedback from viewers than his stint on the BBC.
'Men Behaving Badly' (ITV to BBC One)
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It wasn't until BBC One got their hands on 'Men Behaving Badly' in 1994 that it turned into a great success, making household names out of its main cast.
'University Challenge' (ITV to BBC Two)
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It might seem like a show that's got 'BBC' running through it like a stick of rock, but before 'University Challenge' made its debut on the Beeb in 1994, it had previously enjoyed success on ITV for a quarter of a century.
'The Simpsons' (BBC Two to Channel 4)
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While 'The Simpsons' has always had a home on FOX in the US, here in the UK it spent six years on BBC Two, before being bought by Channel 4 in 2002 (also being shown on Sky1 throughout).

It's stayed on C4 ever since, becoming one of its flagship shows, with the cartoon family even delivering the channel's alternative Christmas message in 2004.
'Celebrity Big Brother' (Channel 4 to Channel 5)
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Yeah alright, it's probably not the comparison that 'Bake Off' viewers want to hear faced with the news the show they love is switching homes, but there's no denying that Channel 5 has helped breathe new life into 'CBB' (even if it's not always the most high-brow of shows).
'American Dad' (Fox to TSB)
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When Fox chose to step away from the 'Animation Domination' its schedule had become known for, Seth MacFarlane's 'American Dad' was one of the biggest casualties.

Fortunately for the show, it landed a new home on TSB, where it has continued to thrive, with its recent 13th season being its longest to date.
'Great British Bake Off' (BBC Two to BBC One)
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Let's not forget, when 'GBBO' first moved channels in 2014, fans feared too much mainstream attention could lead to overexposure and ruin the show they loved.

In other words, 'Bake Off' has already survived one highly-publicised move. Let's hope it can do it again.