Nine to air Australian Ninja Warrior
Nine Network today announced it will produce the world’s biggest and most exciting sports entertainment franchise –Ninja Warrior – with Endemol Shine for broadcast in 2017.
Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift, is excited to have Ninja Warrior on the Nine production slate for 2017.
“Australian Ninja Warrior is the massive new format that welds sport and entertainment together. It’s the biggest and most impossible course in the world that will be tackled by everyday Australians who think they’re fit, fast, nimble or hard enough to get to the finish,” said Swift.
When Ninja Warrior explodes onto Australian screens it will be an entertainment event unlike any other as hundreds of Aussies line up to tackle the world’s toughest assault course, determined to be crowned the nation’s first Ninja Warrior.
In the US and UK, Ninja Warrior has proved to be a ratings smash for NBC and ITV, pulling in broad family audiences with its gripping mix of heart-pounding action and inspiring back stories as everyday heroes push themselves beyond their physical and emotional limits to claim the title.
Known as Sasuke throughout Asia, it was originally conceived as an impossible-to-conquer obstacle course by the Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) in 1997. Now, after 31 seasons in Japan, it has grown into a global mega-hit under the banner of Ninja Warrior, with productions in more than 12 territories, and the finished tape played in over 165 different regions.
Endemol Shine Australia CEO, Mark Fennessy, said: “Ninja Warrior is fun, loud, high-octane family entertainment that will delight the audience and appeal directly to Australia’s ‘have a go’ attitude. With a focus on skill, camaraderie and the pursuit of personal excellence, it has won a reputation internationally as the Olympics for everyday people. We are thrilled to be partnering with Channel Nine to bring Ninja Warrior to Australia.”
TBS Media Business Division Chief of Global Business, Makito Sugiyama, said: “We are very happy that we have reached this agreement for Australia as this will be another giant step forward to realise the first locally produced version in the Oceania region.”
Ninja Warrior’s global success has been attributed to its emphasis on pure competition.
Some will rise but most will fall in their quest to conquer this mind-blowing obstacle course and be crowned the first Australian Ninja Warrior.
Production is planned to commence in late 2016. Applicants are encouraged to apply online from 8.00am Sunday, June 19, at www.ninjawarriorcasting.com.au .
