'Crusoe' could air this year

NBC has said it wants to air British-made drama series Robinson Crusoe this year.

A 13-episode series was ordered from Power in the autumn and hailed as the first direct deal between a US network and UK producer in decades.

NBC yesterday confirmed it was aiming to air the show in the autumn.

Programming chief Ben Silverman reportedly came up with classic tales including Daniel Defoe's Crusoe that he wanted to see made for screen.

He said the show would have the appearance of high-end drama though its budget is much less than, for example, Lost. It will be an "adrenaline-charged version" and contemporary take on the novel but remain set in the 17th century.

"It's part MacGyver, part contemporary morality tale about race and personal discovery, part comedy and part Castaway meets Survivor," said Silverman.

He added that it would help the network with scheduling: "It gives us a building block and an opportunity to do year-round programming and take risks with alternative formats."