SINGAPORE - Much-hyped reality-TV series Asia's Next Top Model is on track to premiere on Nov 25, after being delayed by more than two weeks due to its production company encountering cash- flow problems.

But this is because Fox International Channels - the parent company of the show's channel, StarWorld - stepped in to help the ailing Singapore-based production company ice-TV.

This is despite Fox not being liable for production costs.

Mr Simeon Dawes, senior vice-president of Fox One Stop Media, the advertising-sales arm of Fox, said it is "assisting" ice-TV to ensure that the show is completed by "lending creative resources", such as producers.

"Our relationship with ice-TV hasn't changed. We are a licensee and broadcaster of the programme, it is the production partner," said Mr Dawes.

He was speaking to My Paper after a press conference held at Resorts World Sentosa yesterday to introduce the show's contestants.

Ms Yvonne Tay, vice-president and territory head of Fox International Channels, said: "As a responsible broadcaster...we are just trying to ensure that this gets delivered on time."

Fox is "hopeful" that ice-TV will be able to pay off the debt, she said.

Mr Dawes declined to say what financial assistance is being offered, but said that there have been "commercial arrangements with ice-TV from day one".

This includes paying ice-TV to produce it.

The show's post-production stalled for three weeks last month after more than 30 crew members complained that they had not been paid up to two months of wages and other expenses. Sums owed range from hundreds to more than $10,000. ice-TV also owes public-relations firm Word Of Mouth Communications $30,000 and a catering firm $11,000.

Ms Tay said that it is common for large-scale productions to encounter hiccups along the way and the incident should not affect the show's brand.

She said: "Having bad publicity is good publicity for the show as well. More than ever, it has generated more hype and awareness for Asia's Next Top Model."

Affected crew members said none of them have been paid yet. They told My Paper that ice-TV's managing director, Mr David Searl, contacted them via e-mail, saying he would get in touch with them today to organise payment.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Searl told My Paper that ice-TV met with funding problems after sponsors pulled out, citing the European economic crisis. One investor who was supposed to fund the deficit also pulled out at the last minute, he said, and the problem has been resolved with an investment group coming onboard.

Without saying how soon payment would be made, he said: "Certainly, it is always my intention to pay people."

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