FOX To Make Decision On 'Temptation Island' Sequel Soon

"Network brass said they will wait until viewership numbers are in from the seventh and final episode Wednesday before deciding whether to order a second block of the controversial series, which entices unmarried couples to break up their relationships."

"'We are considering a second Temptation Island seriously. We are waiting to see the numbers for Wednesday night, and a final decision will be made,' said Fox Entertainment President Gail Berman."

"Last week, the show's viewership suffered against competition from the Grammy Awards telecast on CBS, falling to its lowest ratings since its Jan. 10 premiere. But the show's fourth episode, two weeks earlier, drew a robust 18.2 million viewers, giving Fox its first overall ratings win for Wednesdays since August 1999. The segment also propelled Fox to its best Wednesday showing in more than six years among viewers aged 18 to 49, the demographic most prized by advertisers. Berman declined to say how well the show's finale had to perform in the ratings in order to win a renewal."

"But Sandy Grushow, chairman of the Fox Television Entertainment Group, a unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Ltd., suggested Fox executives are rooting for the series."

"'It's a show that's going to make a substantial amount of money,' he said. 'Our affiliates absolutely loved the show, and they're waiting for Temptation 2,' he said."

Our take on the situation -- money talks and morals walk -- expect production on TI2 to begin within weeks.

Source: Reuters/iWon.com

FOX Bows To Pressure, Agrees To Limit Tempation Island Promos

In a letter Wednesday citing numerous complaints from parents, a member of the Federal Communications Commission urged media magnate Rupert Murdoch -- whose News Corp. Ltd. owns Fox Entertainment -- to stop promoting the adult-themed show when children might be watching.

Robert Quicksilver, president of network distribution for Fox, responded by saying that he had directed Fox's marketing department had been directed to 'withdraw immediately and permanently' any promos for the show that were scheduled to appear on any of four Sunday night programs that air from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. -- 'The Simpsons,' 'Malcolm in the Middle,' 'Futurama' and 'King of the Hill.'

Source: Reuters