The Challenge Announces New Global Spin-Off War Of The Worlds

Paramount+ has announced a new spin-off of The Challenge that’s taking America’s fifth sport global titled The Challenge: War Of The Worlds. The name may sound familiar, but it’s not to be confused with The Challenge seasons 33 and 34, also known as War Of The Worlds. This theme brought a massive influx of new international reality TV competitors into The Challenge universe. What started with MTV alumni competing in challenges for prizes has evolved into a globally-connected collision of reality TV and sports.

A show that started in 1998 that’s still on-air and shows no signs of going away anytime soon must be doing something right. The addition of international players has contributed to expanded Challenge viewership but not without criticism from the OG fan base. The number of new competitors from across the globe reached an all-time high on The Challenge‘s latest season, Spies, Lies & Allies. They outnumbered long-time Challenge favorites, and with no knowledge of the game, the international rookies didn’t have a fighting chance against the veterans. Fans complained that the international players were taking spots in the cast that could be filled with experienced Challenge players well-versed in politicking and delivering good TV.

Despite criticism from OG fans, The Challenge continues to invest in its international audience. The Challenge: War Of The Worlds has been announced as the newest spin-off of the franchise. Paramount+ tweeted that the show will be a two-part worldwide tournament with new series broadcasted in four different countries where the biggest reality athletes will compete to be their country’s champions. Winners of The Challenge: Argentina, The Challenge: UK, The Challenge: Australia and The Challenge: CBS (working title) will advance to part two, which will stream exclusively on Paramount+.

According to People, for the first time, a version of the hit MTV reality show The Challenge will premiere on CBS this summer. “Reality titans from the CBS universe will compete in the most unpredictable and demanding game of their lives. With an ever-changing game, players will be in a constant state of paranoia and unable to trust anyone but themselves.” It is unknown whether Challengers from the original show will be cast for the new spin-off, but former Big Brother and Survivor players are expected to compete in the series.

It is clear with the format of this new Challenge spin-off that Paramount+ is looking to expand its worldwide domination and compete with the likes of Netflix and Amazon. Its hope is that viewers of the show in different countries will be invested enough to subscribe to the streaming platform to see their winner compete for the ultimate title as the first Challenge world champion. Another spin-off, The Challenge: All-Stars is also exclusively hosted by Paramount+ and has successfully used nostalgia and great casting to draw in OG fans. It will be interested to see if the streaming platform can nail it again and expanded their subscriptions with the newly announced spin-off of The Challenge.

Sources: Paramount+/Twitter, People

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