Budget Primeval rejected by ITV

Impossible Pictures offered to make a fourth series of ITV1’s CGI drama Primeval for less than £600,000 an episode – but even that was not enough of a bargain to convince the broadcaster to reorder the show.

Under the deal, the Sci Fi Channel in the UK (to be rebranded Syfy in July) would have aired the show first, ahead of ITV1. But ITV turned the offer down and a spokesman confirmed that the decision was made to help the commercial broadcaster protect its 9pm drama slate.

Impossible founder Tim Haines said: “There was a lot of talk when Primeval was cancelled that it must have been because it is a big show, with lots of CGI and special effects.

“That’s not the case. ITV wasn’t paying the whole costs anyway but we offered to lower the price further and bring in 50% of the funding with co-pro deals. It would still have been getting a show worth more than £1m for less than £600,000.”

Haines said he “completely understood” ITV’s position, which was “not unique”. “Drama producers are going to have to become a lot more adept at financing their productions,” he said.

Impossible is now negotiating with a US broadcaster to adapt Primeval. Haines said it was likely that the series would “start from scratch” with a slightly edgier feel.

He added that he was hopeful Primeval could eventually come back to the UK, but as a US acquisition rather than a commission.

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Credit: Broadcast Now

Posted: June 28th, 2009