SIEGFRIED AND ROY-INSPIRED SHOW PULLED FROM TV SWEEPS

The future of the animated series inspired by SIEGFRIED + ROY is on shaky ground, after network bosses pulled it from its schedule for the key November "sweeps" ratings period.

FATHER OF THE PRIDE hasn't performed well with ratings since its debut this autumn (04), ranking 42nd in household ratings.

Of 13 episodes initially ordered by network NBC, seven have aired. An NBC spokeswoman says the show will return to the network's lineup after sweeps, though a date has yet to be pinpointed.

The show cost a reported $1.6 million (GBP880,000) per episode to produce.

Networks traditionally roll out their best programming in November and two other month-long "sweeps" periods each year to boost ratings, which in turn are used to set local advertising rates. The networks also tend to pull weaker shows off their schedules during sweeps.