Distributors of the new Chinese TV drama "A Dream of Red Mansions" have admitted low audience ratings but denied rumors that the show was taken off the air.

Zhang Ran from the drama's distribution company confirmed to the China News Service on Monday that the show has suffered a drop in ratings since its debut on a number of regional channels late last month. The distributor attributed the fall to the World Cup.

"But the rumor that a regional TV station in Jiangxi Province has ceased broadcasting the show was completely groundless," Zhang was quoted as saying. "No broadcaster from Jiangxi has even purchased broadcasting rights."

"A Dream of Red Mansions" is based on 18th-century author Cao Xueqin's classic novel of the same name, which is hailed as a masterpiece in the history of Chinese literature. The novel has spawned a long list of artistic works, the most famous being a 1987 TV adaptation.

The latest TV version, directed by Li Shaohong, has been at the center of controversy since the project was announced in 2007. Many have questioned the necessity of a remake, while others are skeptical about the performance of the young cast, which was selected through a reality show. The drama was originally to be directed by Hu Mei ("Confucius"), who quit after being disappointed by the casting results.