Historical drama Rome will end after its next season, US cable network HBO has confirmed.

The programme's large budget - the first season cost $100 million (£54m) and the second $25 million (£14m) more - was cited as the reason for its axe. The series is co-produced by the BBC and Italian broadcaster RAI, with the former contributing an estimated £10 million to the budget.

"It's an enormous undertaking to do a regular series 6,000 miles away in a foreign country," explained HBO chairman Chris Albrecht. "It's a big financial bite for us."

The second season will air in the US from January.