We didn’t ……. the programme to be such a huge success.

The correct answer is C. Expect.

To expect something means to believe that it will happen. In this case, the speaker is saying that they did not believe that the programme would be such a huge success.

The other options are incorrect because they do not mean the same thing as expect.

• Accept means to agree to something or to receive something willingly.
• Except means to exclude someone or something from a group or situation.
• Access means to be able to use or enter something.