Here's why Amazon didn't save NBC's 'Hannibal'

Amazon disappointed fannibals around the world when it decided not to save NBC's "Hannibal."

Amazon Studios' executives explained why they decided not to take on the cancelled series during the Television Critics Association press tour in Beverly Hills, California.

Amazon decided not to pick up the drama despite a large fan campaign to save the show. It was also considered the front runner to save "Hannibal," since it already held exclusive streaming rights to the series.

Amazon Studios head, Roy Price, pointed out that pickups of existing shows is usually handled by the company's licensing department. But, clearly Price's department had some say.

"We occasionally look at shows that could be revived," he said, according to a transcript acquired by Business Insider. "Often it's complicated from a business point of view."

Price first explained that the company believes it's important that its original series "say Amazon Studios," which is hard when a show comes from another content provider.

"The first season of a new show could become the fantastic new signature show for the network, whereas a show that you could pick up ... it's kind of a marginally solid show," he said. "Almost never, truly is it a fantastic show that is going to be a signature show, and so it's often hard to decide, 'Yeah, let's not try a new show. Let's bet on getting a solid outcome.' Like, we are not really in the solid outcome business."

Despite that, Amazon execs seemed to really consider taking on "Hannibal." They at least began speaking about production schedules, which is where the talks seemed to have reached an end. Apparently, "Hannibal" creator Bryan Fuller's schedule was a sticking point.

"[Fuller] had another Starz show that was going, and it was going to be a year until, hopefully, he was ready to even start production [on 'Hannibal'] again. And that was a factor," said Morgan Wandell, Amazon Studios' head of drama.

"Hannibal," which is wrapping its run after the current third season, is currently airing on Saturdays on NBC.

During the most recent San Diego Comic-Con, Fuller teased that "Hannibal" could continue as a feature film.

Disclosure: Jeff Bezos is an investor in Business Insider through hispersonal investment company Bezos Expeditions.