BBC series Survivor is reportedly in jeopardy after its first series attracted just 2.6 million average viewers.
The reality show, which aired last year in a prime-time Saturday night slot, reportedly cost the broadcaster £30million to produce.
The show pitted 18 contestants against each other as they were split into two tribes on a Caribbean island.
The groups faced a range of physical and psychological challenges, with host Joel Dommett fronting the reality show.
It was previously reported to be an “absolute disaster” for the BBC, with a source at the time telling the Daily Mail: “It is terrible news for the BBC, it is an absolute disaster.
“It cost a fortune and it is just not appealing to the masses – conversations are now taking place as to what can be done to turn things around, quickly.”
BBC’s Survivor aired its first series last year
BBC
Metro reports the fate of the £300million BBC show is uncertain, with the broadcaster not yet decided on whether to commission it for a second series.
The publication states the show could face cancellation as the broadcaster has introduced several cost-cutting measures to save £500million in the next few years.
A source also commented Survivor could face the axe because it was “not a hit,” with viewers deeming it “boring”.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, they continued: “It was clear at the time it went out that the show was not a hit. They threw everything at it, but although a lot had been changed, and many years had gone by since it was last on, it still did not work.
Survivor could be at risk of cancellation
BBC
Last year, Lee Astley, Head of News for BettingSites.co.uk, exclusively told GB News: “The first episode was viewed by an average of 2.6 million last Saturday – despite having a very lucrative lead-in with Strictly Come Dancing.
“The BBC then moved episode two into the Planet Earth III slot, which caused outrage amongst viewers and the ratings suffered another hit to 2.3 million average.
“The show is extremely expensive to make… and with the expectation figures will drop even further this weekend, oddsmakers are confident the BBC will make sure the show doesn’t ‘survive’ past its first series.”
The BBC declined to comment when approached by GB News.
BBC Survivor reportedly cost the BBC £30million
BBC
The corporation previously defended the show after its first two episodes, with a spokesperson telling GB News in 2023: “In a world of on-demand viewing, programmes are not judged on overnight performance alone and iPlayer figures are still to come.”
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