Exclusive: New series of The Piano in development for C4

Surprise reality hit of the year, The Piano, is set to return.

ATV Today understands that Channel 4 are looking at announcing two more series of The Piano, with the next series currently in the development stages. The news comes as Channel 4’s audience figures sunk to record lows May.

The broadcaster’s Chief Content Officer Ian Katz reached out to production companies, admitting that it had been a “difficult period” following an advertising slump. Spending cuts has seen a number of shows axed, including the poorly rated ‘The Big Narstie Show’.

A Channel 4 source told Deadline that the format had come to its end ‘as part of a natural evolution’ of the schedule and financial factors were not the major factor in axing the series. Channel 4 denied reports last week that dating show Naked Attraction had been asked, stating that a new series will air next year.

The Piano, fronted by Claudia Winkleman and judges Mika and Lang Lang, searched for amateur pianists who performed publicly at train stations up and down the country. The series was won by young blind-autistic girl Lucy Illingworth, who will feature in an upcoming documentary about her life due to be screened later this year.