ITV revive Primeval after arrangement with rivals

ITV is considering a radical plan that could see it share hit dinosaur drama Primeval with a rival broadcaster to spread the cost of the effects-heavy series.

MediaGuardian.co.uk understands that the independent production company behind Primeval, Impossible Pictures, has presented ITV with a proposal that could see the fourth series of the Saturday evening drama premiere on a digital channel before airing on ITV1 later.

It is understood that the Sci Fi channel is being eyed as a potential home for the show, although Sky1 has been ruled out as it is too much of a direct rival to ITV's digital service ITV2.

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jun/15/primeval-itv-cancelled

I'm slightly surprised the series has been cancelled as I thought it was doing fairly well, even if it regularly got referred to as "ITV's answer to Doctor Who" on TV Burp.

I thought it was doing fairly well too - obviously not well enough for ITV to justify the cost of making it. I wonder if another broadcaster might take it on.

Tell you something if RTL/Five are shrewd enough they could actually kill ITV off with buying up programmes other broadcasters have lost and still gaining good ratings such as Gladiators, Don't Forget The Lyrics, Primeval - but only if they were scheduled appropriately (possibly all on a Sunday evening - five & BBC1 could kill ITV off between them!!!)

I just don't understand ITV at all! They keep rubbish like 'Ladette to Lady' and scrap successful shows like 'Primeval'! I know they're trying to cut costs but surely they can find another way.

If you were to look at the cost per episode of Primevil compared to Ladette to Lady then I suspect things might become a little clearer

Too true

price per hour Ladette to Lady is far more cost effective and brings in the ratings more than what Primeval does!

Even overseas sales would make Ladette more profitable than Primveal

Very surprised at this news - especially as Primeval had an extended run of 10 episodes this year compaired to the usual 6/7. Still I guess 3 series is good for an ITV show these days.

I thought ProSieben in Germany co-funded it, as apparently some episodes were shown there before the UK.

Primeval revived by new funding structure

Dinosaur drama Primeval has been rescued from extinction three months after ITV1 said it would not recommission the programme - thanks to a "groundbreaking" deal to share costs with a digital channel.

MediaGuardian.co.uk revealed in May that producer Impossible Pictures was trying to put together a deal to save the show, in which a group of scientists in present-day Britain fight prehistoric and futuristic creatures that have been transported through time. But ITV announced in June that it would not proceed.

However, ITV today said it had agreed to share the next two series, comprising 13 episodes in total, with UKTV channel Watch after a deal was hammered out by Impossible Pictures and partner BBC Worldwide, which distributes the show internationally.

In the new funding structure BBC Worldwide has overtaken ITV to become the largest partner, with BBC America – which broadcasts the series in the US – joining Germany's Pro7 as a co-production partner.

more ....

Media Guardian

Fantastic news!!

but will ITV still have rights to broadcast it first?

this could open the door to many other show being kept