• June 7, 2001

British network ITV is cutting its scheduling of reality show "Survivor" from two episodes per week to one.

The move follows Tuesday night's ratings slump to below 4 million viewers, hitting a new low as audience share dropped to 19 percent. Channel 4's reality rival "Big Brother" surpassed "Survivor" ratings for the first time.

"Survivor" has been airing on Britain's biggest commercial network for three weeks. Next week it will begin airing exclusively on Mondays at 9 p.m., lengthening the show's run from eight to 12 weeks.

The series, which cost $13.8 million to produce, is a major disappointment for ITV.

David Liddiment, ITV director of programs, said the "audience has taken longer than anticipated to build" and that changing the schedule would give the show "the best possible chance to grow."

Reuters/Variety