After running its second season this summer, Syfy has decided to stick with UK import Merlin. Syfy plans to air Merlin's third season in early 2011, shortly after the episodes air on the BBC.
"We are thrilled that Syfy will be broadcasting the third series of Merlin," series creator/executive producer Johnny Capps said. "The upcoming season will add an exciting new twist to Merlin's ongoing struggle to protect Prince Arthur, as well as thrilling audiences with bigger and bolder action sequences, stunning CGI monsters, mysterious villains and comic fun for all the family."
I am not surprised. Merlin delivered ratings on a par and one time I believe, higher than its very mismatched lead in, SGU. Can’t beat that for the price.
Great that it has done well for Syfy. I wish it had done better on NBC to maybe see more excellent imports air on the broadcast nets, even if for the Summer or to boost Friday and Saturday. (Though The Bridge certainly killed that idea.)
I don’t think it’ll happen that often in the future. Imports tend to do better on cable, where it can target a niche that it wouldn’t be able to do on broadcast. I doubt the British version of The Office would have done well on NBC.
Great for Merlin, Syfy doesn’t have to spend money, like Dr. How. Two shows that are fun to watch.
It’s because Americans are too closed minded. Hmph.
Does the BBC pay for this or what exactly finances the show. I could never get into it, but considering now there is a season 3 I should try again. I can’t imagine it gets very good ratings. Anybody think it’s worth watching?
It is a BBC co-production with another UK production company. The primary financing is almost certainly from the BBC and my guess is Syfy’s licensing is the next biggest financial contribution.
It’s a Shine Production for the BBC but I think the BBC funds most of it but it distributed worldwide by Fremantlemedia so I guess they partially fund it in exhange for some rights.
Doctor Who is distributed by BBC Worldwide but I imagine BBC America still pays a good amount of money for the rights even though it’s part of the BBC family, they don;t get it for free.
Thanks Robert. Appreciate the info.
Usually for a BBC show Auntie will pay for all the production costs upfront and then have a backend clawback for any international distribution. $6bn a year of guaranteed revenue gives you a lot of leeway in how you do your financing.
The show itself is quite fun and an ideal Family Show that airs early evening (5:30pm-7pm start time) on Saturday in the UK (this is a traditional time for Family Programming on BBC1 going back decades). I suspect it wouldn’t do as well in the States partly because there’s a larger percentage of the population with a puritanical bent and partly because Saturday early evening has a lot of College football focus IIRC. Here it get’s viewing figures in the 5.5-7.5 million range which is about 25-35m for US equivalent. You can see the viewing figures on the wikipedia page.
It had similar ratings as SGU at what I’m guessing is third of the cost, so no surprise here.
I’m very pleased to hear this news. However I find it a mystery why the show airs at 10 PM. It certainly is family entertainment – no sex, mild violence, and a youthful cast. It should at 8 Pm or at least at 9.
Extremely excited that there continueing airing it in the US.
Looking forward to watching season 3. But why do we have to wait so long for it to air??