On Monday, Craig Plastis, Executive Vice President of NBC’s Alternative Programming Development and Specials, announced that the network has picked up a second season of its latest reality series, American Gladiators. The show premiered on Sunday, January 6, and has continued to draw in strong ratings for the network.
“American Gladiators has delivered everything we were hoping for and has come out of the gate as a top contender,” Plestis said. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the audience reaction to this top-notch show all ages can enjoy.”
With a 5.9/14 ratings/share, the show’s debut took the seasons highest adult 18-49 rating for any new-series premiere on any network in the opening 15-weeks of the season. It was also the network’s top new-series premiere since Heroes debuted in 2006.
Additionally, the Monday regular-slot premiere of American Gladiators earned a 4.8/12 in adults 18-49, making it that night’s top non-sports broadcast in the key adult demographic and NBC’s highest-scoring show in the time slot since March 5, 2007.
“Reveille and MGM are so thrilled that America has responded to our reinvention of American Gladiators,” executive producer and managing producer of Reveille LLC Howard T. Owens said. “The next cycle will allow us to tell more stories, create bigger drama, introduce new challenges and further create the most fun-filled, action-packed hour of television.”
American Gladiators is hosted by iconic wrestler Hulk Hogan (Hogan Knows Best) and renowned boxer Laila Ali (Dancing with the Stars). It follows the original platform, which has amateur athletes going up against the show’s gladiators in an “ultimate David & Goliath battle.”
Challenges include classic events like the Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough, Powerball, Assault, Pyramid, Gauntlet and the Eliminator, as well as to new events – Earthquake and Hit & Run. The man and woman left standing after three rounds of challenges will not only win $100, 000, but also earn spots on the Gladiators team next season.
“MGM is pleased to bring viewers a highly entertaining show that has sparked a chord with viewers all over the country,” Jim Packer, Co-President of MGM Television, said. “We and our partners at Reveille look forward to another action-packed season of American Gladiators on NBC.”
Casting for the show’s second season is currently underway.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: NBC
(Image Courtesy of NBC)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
