ABC is stepping up to resolve a financial dilemma left in the wake of the cancellation of its game show *Lucky 13*. 

Sources confirm to *PEOPLE* that the network is in negotiations to pay the show’s contestants more than $460,000 in prize money, despite having no legal obligation to do so. 

This comes after the show was canceled following its first season, and its U.K. producer, Studio 1, declared bankruptcy.

The news first broke when *Deadline* reported that ABC, eager to honor the contestants’ winnings, is taking proactive steps to ensure 

that the participants receive the compensation they earned. 

While the network has yet to make an official statement, the move has been welcomed by those who were left in limbo after the series ended abruptly. 

*PEOPLE* reached out to ABC for comment, but the network declined to provide further details at this time.

The show, which aired in July 2024, was hosted by Shaquille O’Neal and Gina Rodriguez and quickly gained attention for its unique format. Contestants were asked to answer 13 true-or-false trivia questions, with a twist: they had to predict how many questions they would answer correctly in order to win the grand prize of $1 million. However, despite the innovative format and star power behind the show, it was not renewed for a second season, leading to financial fallout.

The series was produced by Studio 1, which pre-funded the show in exchange for a portion of the advertising and product placement sales generated by ABC. However, according to Studio 1 CEO Adrian Woolfe, the company’s projected revenue from these sales fell significantly short of expectations. In a statement to *Deadline*, Woolfe explained that the “unique commercial model” that underpinned the show’s launch was heavily reliant on advertising revenue. Unfortunately, the market conditions, coupled with the show’s cancellation, caused Studio 1 to declare bankruptcy shortly after the series ended. This left both contractors and contestants without the payments they were promised.

*Lucky 13*’s contestants were awarded a total of $461,500 in winnings, with the largest prize being $125,000 and the smallest prize being $3,750. According to *Deadline*, the winners should have received their prize money within 120 days of their appearance on the show. However, with Studio 1’s financial troubles, the contestants have yet to see their payouts, which has understandably caused frustration among those who took part in the competition.

In addition to the contestants, several key figures behind the show, including O’Neal and Rodriguez, have not been paid for their work. O’Neal and Rodriguez were both executive producers, alongside Kevin Bacon, Colin Smeeton, and Michael Parris from O’Neal’s Jersey Legends Productions. Other executive producers included Mark Wells, Glenn Coomber, Aaron Stone, Alastair Burlingham, Gary Raskin, David Schiff, Scott Henry, and GW Wright. Woolfe, who created the show, also served as the showrunner.

The financial issues surrounding *Lucky 13* reflect broader challenges faced by the entertainment industry, particularly with the complex commercial models used to fund new productions. In this case, advertising revenue, which was a significant part of the financing structure, failed to meet expectations, contributing to Studio 1’s bankruptcy. Despite the setbacks, ABC’s willingness to step in and negotiate with Studio 1 to ensure that contestants receive their prizes is a notable gesture, showing a level of responsibility towards the show’s participants.

For now, as negotiations continue, it remains to be seen when the contestants will receive their due compensation. The story of *Lucky 13* is one of both ambition and disappointment—an innovative show that could not overcome the financial realities of its production model. However, ABC’s intervention offers hope that, despite the financial turmoil surrounding the show’s cancellation, the contestants will eventually be paid for their participation.

As the situation continues to unfold, many will be watching to see how this case resolves, not only for the contestants but also for those involved in the broader production.

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