Channel 4 is taking the “Married at First Sight” scandal “very seriously,” says a senior exec, although she declined to comment on the prospect of the hit reality show being axed for good.
“‘MAFS’ is something that we’re taking very seriously at the channel,” said Kiran Nataraja director of content strategy, speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival during a panel about the network. “We’ve got two reviews ongoing.” Until those reviews are concluded she said she couldn’t comment on the outcome.
“Married at First Sight” U.K. — also known as “MAFS” — was rocked earlier this year after a “Panorama” investigation alleged two contestants were raped and another subjected to a non-consensual sex act on the show, which sees single people “marry” strangers after being matched by experts.
When pushed on the fact that losing the show — one of the Channel’s most popular — would potentially impact the network’s viewing figures for both linear and on demand, Nataraja replied: “We’re always looking for big shows, and it’s really important to have a range of shows across the channel slate.”
Shaminder Nahal, head of specialist factual at the public service broadcaster, was also questioned about duty of care on shows such as “Virgin Island,” which follows 12 adult virgin as they anticipate having sex for the first time.
