Home Entertainment BBC’s £20million prime-time show ‘could face the axe’ due to dismal ratings – despite being renewed for a second series

BBC’s £20million prime-time show ‘could face the axe’ due to dismal ratings – despite being renewed for a second series

by Merry
0 comment
BBC's risky reboot of 90s series Survivor could face the axe, despite originally being picked up for a second series (presenter Joel Dommett pictured)

It cost BBC bosses £20 million to reboot the iconic show.

But the station’s risky decision to bring back the hit ’90s show Survivor hasn’t been the Saturday night television savior they hoped for.

Survivor sees 18 contestants flown to the Dominican Republic, where they are stranded in a tropical location and divided into two tribes, competing against each other in a variety of physical and mental challenges for rewards or immunity.

They compete against each other to be named Sole Survivor and win £100,000.

Directed by Joel Dommett, the BBC hoped for a sure hit with new fans, but the nostalgic hype backfired as they suffered dismal ratings.

BBC’s risky reboot of 90s series Survivor could face the axe, despite originally being picked up for a second series (presenter Joel Dommett pictured)

Survivor sees 18 Brits taken to the Dominican Republic, where they are stranded in a tropical location and divided into two tribes, competing against each other in a variety of challenges.

Survivor sees 18 Brits taken to the Dominican Republic, where they are stranded in a tropical location and divided into two tribes, competing against each other in a variety of challenges.

The show’s submissions for season two have been removed from the BBC website, despite submissions reportedly being open until February 16.

A new note was also added to the site informing that streaming apps are now “on pause.”

Comedian Joel, 38, who also presents The Masked Singer UK, had hopes of a second series in January but admitted there would be a lot of changes upon his return.

“Fingers crossed… there are a lot of things we would do slightly differently,” he said. Metro.es.

‘As with every first series, it’s difficult, so I think a second series would be amazing.

“Everyone seems to love it, so I’m excited that hopefully we can do another one.”

A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: “No decision has been made.”

It comes after BBC sources said some staff think it is a waste of license payers’ money and the prospects of a second series have caused outrage.

It’s become even more poignant in recent weeks after six million people watched his remake of Gladiators in one episode in January.

Directed by Joel Dommett, the BBC hoped for a sure hit with new fans, but nostalgic enthusiasm backfired as they suffered dismal ratings.

Directed by Joel Dommett, the BBC hoped for a sure hit with new fans, but nostalgic enthusiasm backfired as they suffered dismal ratings.

Submissions for the show's second season have been removed from the BBC's Take Part website, despite submissions reportedly being open until February 16.

Submissions for the show’s second season have been removed from the BBC’s Take Part website, despite submissions reportedly being open until February 16.

Despite having a solid audience lead from Strictly’s more than seven million viewers, Survivor was watched by 2.6 million in the next slot.

A BBC insider told The Mail on Sunday in January: “It’s been a big surprise to see Survivor return.”

‘Many within the Beeb consider it a very costly flop and the general opinion was that it should (and would) be canned.

“Spending that amount of money on a show that so few people watch is certainly a foolish way to spend public money.”

The launch of the first series attracted 2.6 million viewers, just over half of the 4.5 million who tuned in to Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel the previous Saturday for the 8.25pm ​​advert.

Sunday’s repeat the following day fell to 2.2 million viewers and was overtaken by a repeat of the Antiques Roadshow on BBC Two.

BBC bosses moved David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III from its Sunday 8pm slot to make way for Survivor as it was considered a high priority.

Network bosses have been keen to find a Saturday night TV show that replicates the golden era when they had shows like The Generation Game.

The BBC was so keen to make it a hit that they poached comedian Dommett, 38, from ITV, where he presents The Masked Singer.

Survivor, which is a global franchise, has been popular in the United States since its launch in 2000. ITV screened two series in 2001 and 2002.

You may also like