After numerous episode postponements and
on-set controversies, SABC3 has announced that the reality schmodel search
The Model Million$ has officially been cancelled.
Judged by model sisters
Kerry and
Tracy McGregor and presented by
Anthony Oseyemi, the show promised a R1million cash prize to the winning model of the competition and a
$1million prize for a winning veiwer who made the most accurate SMS predictions across the show - a prize that was highly far-fetched from the start.
The show premiered on SABC3 on Wednesday, 1 October in the 20h30 timeslot and was postponed the following week because of production delays.
A second episode went out in week three and was further postponed until late November so that the show could source funding to complete it and secure the prize money. According to producers an international financier pulled out as a result of the global financial slump and weakened rand.
Since then and now no further backing has been found - hence the decision to cancel.
"As an advertiser funded programme, Model Million$’s creators and producers were responsible for making sure that enough funds were available for the production roll out of this property,” says SABC3 Communications Manager Gesh Conco.
"After continuous engagements with the producers, we as a channel have taken the decision to end the show and put more focus on the channels schedule stability promise.
“SABC3, however, takes responsibility for our programme offering as the show sits on our channel therefore we would like to thank all our viewers, the 15 model hopefuls as well as all media for your loyalty to the SABC3 brand and Model Million$ in its short lived debut. ”
Wayne Kyle, Executive Producer of the show said today in a statement, "The Model Millions producers are all extremely saddened that we have had to bring the series to an early end. We have had fantastic support from the South African viewing public and have proven that SA can produce quality television reality shows.
"Everyone has been so fantastic in supporting us. In fact, the only person that has let down this production is myself as I have not been able to financially secure the series. We would like to thank all the contestants, crew and suppliers for being so patient with us while we tried to save the series. We hope to be in a position to relaunch the series in SA at some point in the future”.
At the time of being published Kyle wasn't available for comment on what's happening to the 15 contestants and the SMS viewer entries sent in during the first two episodes.
As yet no replacement show has been confirmed. Over the next two Wednesdays (12 and 19 November, 2008) there will be live coverage of the ODI cricket series - the replacement title will be announced during this time.