'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.
'Great British Bake Off': Where Are They Now?
Edd Kimber (winner, 2010)(01 of11)
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Fresh from being crowned the winner of the first ever ‘Bake Off’, Ed quit his day job as a debt collector for Yorkshire Bank (which he hated) to follow his baking dream with a job in Raymond Blanc’s restaurant Le Manoir as a pastry chef (what else?). He’s gone on to carve himself a career as a food writer with articles appearing in BBC Good Food magazine and on his blog theboywhobakes.co.uk. In 2011 he published his first cookbook, ran a pop-up bakery in Fortnum & Mason and is also the resident baker on ‘The Alan Titchmarsh Show’. “Bake Off changed [my life] in the most amazing way. It allowed me to follow my passion and fulfil my dreams in a way I never imagined,” he said recently. (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
Jo Wheatley (winner, 2011)(02 of11)
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After winning the second series of ‘Bake Off’, Jo started her own cooking school. Based at her home in Essex, Jo teaches classes on home-baking such as bread making and cupcake decorating. She has also published two cookbooks, ‘A Passion For Cooking’ and ‘Home Baking’ and is a regular food columnist for The Sun and Sainsbury’s Magazine.
John Whaite (winner, 2012)(03 of11)
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John hasn’t stopped working since winning series three. As well as publishing two cookbooks, ‘John Whaites Bakes’ and John Whaites Bakes At Home’, he earned a patisserie diploma from Le Cordon Bleu, launched his own online chocolate shop The Hungry Dog Artisan Chocolates and is set to launch his own cookery school, John Whaite’s Kitchen. On top of all that he’s also the resident baker on Lorraine Kelly’s ITV morning show. Phew! (credit:Rex)
Frances Quinn (winner, 2013)(04 of11)
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Frances, who won the fourth series in 2013, is best remembered for her highly creative designs and has gone on to share her skills at shows and festivals around the UK. Many of her recipes have also appeared in newspapers and magazines and she’s also popped up on many TV and radio shows. Her first book ‘Quinntessential Baking’ is set to be published on 27 August and promises to be "a treasure trove of inspirational ideas to bring a spark of creativity and a teaspoon of wonder into your kitchen." (credit:David M. Benett via Getty Images)
Nancy Birtwhistle (winner, 2014)(05 of11)
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Former GP surgery manager Nancy, who was crowned champion at the end of last year’s series, has gone on to launch her own baking website www.nancybirtwhistle.co.uk where she shares receipes with fans. The 60-year-old is also in demand for everything from cookery demonstrations to after-dinner speaking and is currently writing an encyclopedia of baking. (credit:BBC)
Mary-Anne Boermans (2011)(06 of11)
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Mary-Anne was pipped to the post in the 2011 final but has gone on to launch her own blog timetocookonline.com and is about to opublish her very first book ‘Great British Cakes’ which has already had mary berry’s seal of approval, saying it was ‘brilliantly researched from a true foodie’.
James Morton (2012)(07 of11)
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After coming second on the third series, Glaswegian James has amassed a huge fanbase thanks to his baking blog and regular column in the Sunday Mail newspaper. He’s also had two books published, the first of which, ‘Brilliant Bread’, won the Guild of Food Writers award for Best Cookbook in 2014. Earlier this year he beat Michel Roux Jr to win Radio Times Food Champion but despite his baking success he is still studying to become a doctor at the University of Glasgow. (credit:Jame Morton/Twitter)
Ruby Tandoh (2013)(08 of11)
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She might not have won the 2013 series but Ruby has just been voted Bake Off’s favourite ever contestant by readers of Radio Times. Since appearing on the show, Ruby has written a book called ‘Crumb’ and recorded her own documentary for Radio 4. She also has her own blog rubyandthekitchen.co.uk and writes a weekly recipe column for The Guardian. In April this year she announced she was gay on Twitter and also hit back at the trolls who suggested there was chemistry between her and judge Paul Hollywood. She tweeted: “For those who thought I fancied Paul Hollywood or that I'd ever bang him to get ahead - JOKE'S ON YOU, YOU MASSIVE SHITTING MISOGYNISTS.” (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Howard Middleton (2013)(09 of11)
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Howard proved to be an instant hit with ‘Bake Off’ viewers when he appeared on the 2013 series. The council worker, who provided some of the most memorable moments (remember custard-gate? Or the missing trifle?), is set to publish his first book ‘Delicious Gluten-Free Baking’ in September. Speaking about his time on the show recently, he said: “My greatest memory is having met such a wonderful bunch of people and it is one of those things that continues. It exists outside of that and that is a pleasure really.” (credit:Chris Radburn/PA Archive)
Martha Collison (2014) (10 of11)
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At just 17 years old, Martha was the youngest ever contestant to appear on ‘Bake Off’, but despite her years, she went on to reach the quarter finals. So it’s no surprise that since appearing on the show, Martha has not only launched her own successful baking blog but has also landed herself a column in the Waitrose Weekend newspaper, alongside the likes of Pippa Middleton, Clare Balding, and Mariella Frostrup. On top of this, she spent her half-term break in Cambodia as an ambassador for the Tearfund charity where she visited victims of child trafficking and held baking workshops with them. (credit:BBC)
Richard Burr (2014)(11 of11)
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Richard was an early favourite to win last year’s ‘Bake Off’ but despite not walking away with the title he’s gone on to enjoy success outside of his building business. As well as his popular blog, richardburr.london, he regularly appears at food festivals around the country and has just published his first book, ‘B.I.Y. Bake It Yourself’ (see what they did there?). (credit:BBC)