BBC’s Survivor signs for second series despite low ratings as staff brand the show ‘a waste of licence fee payers’ money’
It was the expensive show that BBC bosses hoped would be the savior of their Saturday evening television.
But a reboot of Survivor, which reportedly cost the Corporation just £20 million, bombed in the ratings.
And now BBC sources say there will be a second series, sparking outrage from the broadcaster.
Sources within the BBC say some staff believe it is a waste of license payers’ money.
Things have become even more poignant in recent days after their remake of Gladiators was watched by six million people last Saturday night.
A reboot of Survivor, which reportedly cost the BBC just £20m, bombed in the ratings (presenter Joel Dommett pictured)
And now BBC sources say there will be a second series, sparking outrage from the broadcaster
Despite having a strong lead in Strictly’s audience of more than seven million viewers, Survivor was watched by 2.6 million in the next slot.
A BBC insider told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s a big surprise that Survivor is coming back.
‘It is seen by many within the Beeb as a very expensive flop and the general view was that it should – and would – be binned.
“Spending that amount of money on a program that is watched by so few people is 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 at 8.25pm.
Sunday’s repeat the following day fell to 2.2 million viewers, being beaten by a repeat of the Antiques Roadshow on BBC Two.
BBC chiefs moved David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III from 8pm on Sunday to make way for Survivor as it was deemed a major priority.
The network’s bosses were keen to find a Saturday night television show that would recreate the golden era when they had programs like The Generation Game.
Sources within the BBC say some staff believe it is a waste of license payers’ money
Survivor sees 18 Britons taken to the Dominican Republic, where they are stranded in a tropical location and divided into two tribes, who compete against each other in a series of physical and mental challenges for reward or immunity.
They compete against each other to be named Sole Survivor and win £100,000.
The BBC were so keen to make it a success that they signed 38-year-old comedian Dommett from ITV, where he presents The Masked Singer.
A global franchise, Survivor has been popular in America since its launch in 2000. ITV showed two series of it in 2001 and 2002.