Australian Spartan

[TV.Cynic]

Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge heads to Australia

Channel 7 commissions world’s toughest obstacle competition

Inspired by the global fitness phenomenon, Spartan Race, this is the world’s toughest team-based obstacle course. Impossible to complete alone, the only way to conquer it is to work together as a cohesive unit of three.

Raising the bar on team competitions, groups of friends, families and workmates must join forces to race through a specially-designed spectacular Spartan course engineered to challenge their determination, endurance and will.

Seven’s Director of Production Brad Lyons, said: “It’s no secret family entertainment is attracting big audiences and AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN will be the toughest and biggest obstacle course ever seen here. It’s so big and tough that you cannot conquer it alone and we will be pitting teams against each other. This will bring added drama as each member of the team relies on each other to make it through this beast of a course.”

Chris Oliver-Taylor, MD Matchbox and Chris Culvenor, CEO Eureka said “We are delighted to combine the talents of Matchbox Pictures and Eureka Productions to bring AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN to Channel 7. This family series will highlight the strength and stamina of some of the toughest and fittest people in the country. It’s a true test of teamwork.”

Over the course of this massive television event, the extreme obstacles will escalate to truly test the most outstanding athletes in the country. In the end, only one team will triumph and rise to become the ultimate Australian Spartans.

With the second hit season of the American format currently broadcast on NBC, the popular competition has also seen a localised version commissioned in Denmark.

The format rights for Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge are held by NBCUniversal International Formats and will be distributed worldwide by NBCUniversal International Distribution.

Applications for AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN are now open at www.australianspartan.com

[Tom_TV7]

Sounds like some more shit that they’re planning to air.

[killy06]

Seven obviously realised an internal production isn’t going to cut it after Cannonball, co-commisioning this between 2 production companies. Surprised they would announce this on the back of the negative press about how their ‘answer to Ninja Warrior’ tanked.

[Sully]

This’ll probably be massive, surely much better than Cannonball?

Clearly TV wants to head the way of family friendly, feel-good talent/reality which had rated high (Little Big Shots, Ninja Warrior)

[SydneyCityTV]

Do we think Seven will put the Spartans up against Nine’s Ninja Warriors for Winter 2018?

[JohnsonTV]

Cannonball was made by ITV Studios Australia for Seven.

Looking forward to see how it differentiates from Ninja Warrior.

[Sully]

First ident just shown during the AFL GF pre-game, as an ‘on the MCG’ graphic.

“Coming in 2018”.

Any video/caps?

[TV.Cynic]

In program promo

Promo

[JohnsonTV]

The Sunday Telegraph reports that application date has been extended to October 18, and casting directors are looking for an all-female team of three to compete.

[killy06]

IT LOOKS like the Sunshine State will be the setting for Channel 7’s new series Australian Spartan. Now, rumours are in overdrive that Seven’s answer to Channel 9’s Australian Ninja Warrior will be filmed in Queensland.

Paywall: http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/channel-7s-australian-spartan-to-be-filmed-in-queensland/news-story/fb962ca37f41f94fb55114a6300ce000

[killy06]

Interesting announcement yesterday

ChangeTheGame (ChangeTheGame)

[JohnsonTV]

The Courier-Mail reports two series of the show will be filmed on a “secret location” in Brisbane. Filming is due to take place from December 11 to 22 with two sessions each day (no filming on Saturday or Sunday). To be part of the live audience, register here

[JohnsonTV]

The Sunday Telegraph reports Seven Sport’s Hamish McLachlan and Sunrise’s Edwina Bartholomew will co-host the show. What an odd combination.
It will be Eddy’s first hosting role since Dancing with the Stars.

[killy06]

Not at all surprising choices if true. As if they weren’t to to replicate Ninja Warrior any more than they already are

[cmo]

Why do seven insist on inflicting Hamish onto Australian audiences. He’s fucking hopeless. He makes everything he is on unwatchable.

[Tom_TV7]

Agreed. Any good show is ruined by that boffin. Ryan Phelan should have given the role of hosting instead. He’s currently wasted at Seven.

[TV.Cynic]

Spartan control bestowed upon Eddy and Hamish

Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan will lead the charge as hosts of Seven’s new event TV program, AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN.

Commenting on the announcement, Seven’s Director of Production Brad Lyons, said: “Edwina and Hamish have worked side-by-side on a number of productions, from red carpet events through to Olympics. The chemistry between these two friends, in this big event arena environment, will make for viewing magic.”

A journalist with over 13 years’ experience including sports coverage for the Network, Sunrise presenter Edwina is excited about the challenge ahead.

“Spartan will be next level. The location is incredible; the competitors are world class and the show will be something to behold,” she says. “Expect to see everyone from Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes, CrossFit champions, marathon runners to workmates and mother’s groups.”

“There is clearly an appetite for good family entertainment,” added Edwina. “This will be a show that everyone can sit down, enjoy and cheer-on their favourite team. It will be incredible to watch.”

Joining Edwina on the Spartan course will be Channel Seven sports commentator Hamish McLachlan. Hamish has covered some of the biggest sporting events in Australia and abroad, including the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, The Melbourne Cup Carnival and, since 2008, The Australian Open.

Hamish, who also hosts Seven’s popular AFL Game Day, says AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN will have audiences on the edge of their seats.

“When I saw the format and the incredible set, I had to be a part of it,” said Hamish. “The course has to be seen to be believed, it will test the toughest of the tough and we will have ringside seats.”

AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN is a test of strength, speed, agility and endurance in which only a truly unified team can conquer.

Inspired by the world-wide fitness phenomenon ‘Spartan Race’, this is the world’s most demanding physical obstacle course. Teams of three must join forces to race across a specially designed Spartan course engineered to challenge their determination, endurance and will. The extreme obstacles escalate to test the most outstanding athletes in the country. In the end, only one team will rise to become the ultimate Australian Spartans.

With the second hit season of the American format currently broadcast on NBC, the popular competition has also seen a localised version commissioned in Denmark.

AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN is a Matchbox Pictures and Eureka Productions co-production for Channel Seven.

The format rights for Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge are held by NBCUniversal International Formats and will be distributed worldwide by NBCUniversal International Distribution.

Applications for AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN are now open at www.australianspartan.com

[Sully]

I would say Hamish’s appointment is purely for the Melbourne market, as he’s very well known and it’s a major market like Sydney.

Exact same for Rebecca Maddern on Ninja.

Point about Bec has been mentioned on radio/print before, even Eddie McGuire raving about Bec with Ninja when he took over Footy Show

[Tom_TV7]

Lol as if Seven only cares about Melbourne and couldn’t give two f**ks about the rest of Australia.

You’re probably the only one in Australia who sings his praise.

[Salty]

Great to see Eddy has another role in prime time so will be great, unfortunately can’t say the same about Hamish!