Nine have announced it will produce a local version of the popular Ninja Warrior franchise in Australia. Set to debut in 2017, Australian Ninja Warrior is being produced with Endemol Shine with applications open today.
Production is planned to commence in late 2016 with applicants encouraged to apply from 8.00am today at www.ninjawarriorcasting.com.au.
Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift, said: “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.”
Both the original Ninja Warrior and American Ninja Warrior routinely air on SBS2, with the initial series dubbed for international markets. 100 contestants are tasked with completing a near-impossible obstacle course, with precious few making it to the final course, the vertical Mount Midoriyama.
Known as Sasuke throughout Asia, the elimination obstacle course game show was first produced by the Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) in 1997. In addition to the 31 seasons broadcast in Japan, international versions are produced in more than 12 territories.
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.”