Channel 7 Comes Up Big Loser With ‘Big Spin,’ May Drop Show

The fate of the California State Lottery’s “Big Spin” television program appeared in limbo today as KABC, Channel 7, said it may drop next week’s program from its schedule and lottery officials acknowledged that low ratings have forced a review of the weekly show’s future.

“They’re still trying to come up with a decision,” a spokeswoman for KABC said, after first saying the station had dropped the planned Jan. 11 broadcast. “We don’t know whether we’re going to keep it or not.”

Lottery Director Mark Michalko said program producers and representatives of the statewide 11-station consortium of TV stations that carry the program were trying to work out details involving sponsors for the show.

Michalko said the lottery was proceeding to air this Saturday’s 7 p.m. show, moving from the Monday night time period it has occupied since its debut in October. He also said contestants will be able to compete Saturday for up to $3 million with the spin of a lottery wheel whether or not the event is televised.

Reports that the show had closed down production were denied by a spokesman for Simon and Laughlin Productions in Hollywood, however. The company said it was continuing with preparations to videotape Saturday’s program in advance of its scheduled airing.