British version of 'Brother' canceled

LONDON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Britain's Channel 4 says it has decided not to renew the decade-old U.K. version of the reality TV competition series "Big Brother."

The Times of London said declining ratings and boredom with the format were to blame for the planned cancellation of the show after its 11th season airs in 2010. An edition of "Celebrity Big Brother" reportedly is also set to be broadcast in January as part of a previous contract.

Kevin Lygo, the broadcaster's director of television, told the newspaper the decision was "a bittersweet moment for us."

"It's been on (Channel 4) long enough. If it was purely a commercial decision, we would renegotiate the price and keep it going," Lygo said.