Unable to raise a nickel from corporate sponsors, Philadelphia's WHYY-TV has appealed to PBS for help in finishing its big-ticket national documentary series, "Dinosaur."

David Othmer, station vice president and station manager, confirmed Tuesday that he had met with PBS programming boss Jennifer Lawson in Washington recently to request funds to complete "Dinosaur." The four hour-long programs are slated to debut in the fall.

Price tag for "Dinosaur" is $2.3 million, Mr. Othmer says. PBS member stations have committed $1.3 million, with WHYY expected to raise the remaining $1 million. WHYY requested "less than $500,000" from PBS, Mr. Othmer says, and will receive an answer "within the next several weeks."

The financial appeal to PBS to complete production on one of its own series is a first for WHYY, Mr. Othmer says. "We certainly would rather not have had to do it."