Ten cancels local version of Don’t Stop Believing

Australian commercial broadcaster Ten Network has cancelled its local version of Shine-produced dancing competition series Don’t Stop Believing following poor ratings in the UK.

The broadcaster, which was a coproduction between Lis Murdoch’s Shine Group and advertising agency Group M in the UK, had commissioned Shine Australia to produce a local version of the format, but has since pulled the production.

The UK version of the show, which was fronted by former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, initially received strong ratings but fell to around 500,000 viewers towards the end of its run.

“Network Ten is reviewing Don’t Stop Believing within its 2011 programme schedule and has elected to postpone the production indefinitely. It may return at a later date,” David Mott, chief programming officer, Network Ten, said in a statement.

This follows James Packer and Lachlan Murdoch’s acquisition of shares in the broadcaster last month.