(Photo: Scott Everett White/NBC)
Elite athletes will get another chance to win a big cash prize. NBC has announced a two year renewal of American Ninja Warrior. The summer staple’s 18th season of 13 episodes finished airing tonight.
An obstacle course competition series, the American Ninja Warrior TV show is hosted by Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila, with Zuri Hall reporting from the sidelines. In the 18th season, the athletes head to Las Vegas. New this season is an all new round to the competition featuring a supersized three lane racecourse called the Tripleheader, where ninjas will go head to head to head in high speed, side by side races. Continuing with the major changes from last season, the National Finals will follow an action-packed, all-racing format with the winner taking home the $250,000 grand prize.
Airing on Monday nights, the 18th season of American Ninja Warrior averages a 0.25 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 2.23 million viewers (includes DVR playback through 3:00 AM). Compared to season 17, that’s down by 8% in the demo and down by 16% in viewership.
Tonight, the NBC program crowned a winner also handed down a double renewal, for seasons 19 and 20. According to Deadline, the network is already working on the new seasons which will film in Las Vegas later this year.
Season 19 will see the return of the iconic Mt. Midoriyama, and Season 20 will celebrate the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympic Games with a special Summer of Champions, featuring several former Olympians and elite ninja champions from more than 15 countries around the world.
What do you think? How long have you been watching the American Ninja Warrior TV series on NBC? Are you glad this competition has been renewed for seasons 19 and 20?
