Channel 4's director of television Kevin Lygo has predicted that this year's LA screenings will be the most competitive ever.

Every year the major broadcasters descend upon Los Angeles to preview and snap up the rights to air US shows beginning the following season. The growth of multichannel in the UK has contributed to a more competitve market in recent years, with prices running above the $500,000-an-episode mark.

"We're fortunate in having Lost, Desperate Housewives and My Name Is Earl but it is fiercely more competitive out there than ever before," Lygo told C21. "This May you'll see a feeding frenzy."

Despite already having a large roster of US series, Lygo has an increased budget as high as $750,000-an-episode and is planning to go on the offensive at the screenings.

He added: "We'd like a couple more dramas and we'd love another comedy, but they simply aren't being made."