Australian Ninja Warrior

Australian Ninja Warrior is a sports entertainment competition spin-off of the Japanese television series Sasuke which premiered on 9 July 2017 on the Nine Network.[1] It features hundreds of competitors attempting to complete series of obstacle courses of increasing difficulty, in hopes of advancing to the finals and becoming the season's "Australian Ninja Warrior."

Australian Ninja Warrior
GenreSports entertainment
Created byUshio Higuchi
Presented by
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes39
Production
Production locations
Running time1 hour and 20 minutes
(without ads)
Production companyEndemol Shine Australia
Release
Original networkNine Network
Picture format576i (SDTV)
1080i (HDTV)
Audio formatStereo
Original release9 July 2017 (2017-07-09) –
present
Chronology
Related showsSasuke
Australian Ninja Warrior vs. The World
American Ninja Warrior
Ninja Warrior UK

History

The series was announced in 2016 with applications open until 9 September 2016, with filming between November & December 2016 on Cockatoo Island.[2] The series was officially confirmed at Nine's upfronts in November 2016 with Rebecca Maddern announced as host.[3][4] A few days after the announcement, Ben Fordham was announced as second host & Freddie Flintoff as the series' sideline reporter.[5] The series began airing on 9 July 2017.[1]

The series was renewed for a second season during the season one final which was filmed between December 2017 & January 2018, with applications that closed by 3 September 2017.[6][7] On 11 October 2017, the series was officially confirmed for renewal at Nine's upfronts, also confirming Fordham, Maddern & Flintoff returning for the second season.[8] The second season began airing on 8 July 2018.[9]

On 17 October 2018, the series was officially renewed for a third season at Nine's upfronts, also confirming Fordham, Maddern & Flintoff returning for the third season.[10] Filming for the series was relocated to Spotswood in Melbourne with filming commencing 15 November until 1 December.[11][12] The third season began airing on 8 July 2019.[13]

On 17 October 2019, the series was officially renewed for a fourth season at Nine's upfronts, also confirming Fordham, Maddern & Flintoff returning for the fourth season.[14] The series will again be relocated, filming will take place at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale.[15][16][17] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Nine has introduced Audience Lock-out meaning members of the public can not attend as audience, only family members of contestants will be allowed to attend,[18] as well as co-host Rebecca Maddern, who was put in self-isolation, was temporarily replaced by Shane Crawford for two heats, she has since been cleared and returned to filming.[19][20] Crawford returned to the season as sideline commentator for the Semis and Grand Final after Freddie Flintoff had to fly back to the UK before coronavirus pandemic measures came into effect.[21] The fourth season began airing on 26 July 2020.[22]

Ben Polson became the first contestant to win after four seasons. His prize was $400,000 and the title of ‘Australian Ninja Warrior’.[23]

Nine Network announced a fifth season on 16 September 2020.[24] Casting applications are open until 30 November 2020.[25] The series will again be relocated, filming will take place in Homebush, New South Wales.[26]

Format

Potential contestants go through a rigorous series of obstacles before the possibility of becoming the next Australian Ninja Warrior and win a cash prize, starting at $100,000. If there is no winner in a season the prize will jackpot and rise by $100,000 until someone eventually conquers Mount Midoriyama.

From the third season, the format changed slightly with the most successful contestant who goes the furthest and fastest guaranteed to win $100,000 should they not conquer the course, but will win the growing jackpot should they conquer Mount Midoriyama.

Series overview
Season Episodes Originally aired National Finals Presenters
Premiere Finale Winner's Prize Last Ninja
Standing Prize		 Last Ninja Standing/
Australian Ninja Warriors		 Result Play-by-play announcer(s) Sideline reporter
1 9 9 July 2017 25 July 2017 $100,000 N/A Fred Dorrington Failed Stage 2 Rebecca Maddern
Ben Fordham		 Freddie Flintoff
2 12 8 July 2018 31 July 2018 $200,000 Rob Patterson
3 10 8 July 2019 29 July 2019 $300,000 $100,000 Charlie Robbins Failed stage 3
4 8 26 July 2020 10 August 2020 $400,000 Ben Polson Completed stage 4 Rebecca Maddern
Ben Fordham
Shane Crawford		 Freddie Flintoff
Shane Crawford

Season 1 (2017)
Main article: Australian Ninja Warrior (season 1)

The first season premiered on 9 July 2017, on Nine Network and concluded on 25 July 2017. The season was filmed on Cockatoo Island, Sydney where 50 ninjas ran in each of the six qualifying heats, with the top 18 from each heat moving on to the Semi Finals. From the three semi finals, the top 7 competitors moved on to the Grand Final. 9 Competitors finished stage one of the Grand Final, but none completed stage two.

Season 2 (2018)
Main article: Australian Ninja Warrior (season 2)

The second season premiered on 8 July 2018, on Nine Network and concluded on 31 July 2018. The season was filmed on Cockatoo Island, Sydney. In this season there was a total of over 300 ninjas, each was placed into one of the six heats, with the top 20 in each heat advancing to the Semi Finals. In each of the four Semi Finals, the top 8 competitors continued to the Grand Final. In the Grand Final, stage one was completed by 24 competitors, though none of them completed stage two.

Season 3 (2019)
Main article: Australian Ninja Warrior (season 3)

The third season premiered on 8 July 2019 on the Nine Network. The season was filmed in Spotswood, Victoria; and featured 200 ninjas competing across five heats.[27] The top 18 ninjas in each heat advanced to the Semi Finals, and the top ten competitors in each of the three Semi Finals qualified for the Grand Final.[27]

In the Grand Final, there were eleven ninjas who successfully completed the first stage of the course. Five competitors progressed to stage three, however all failed to complete this stage. Despite all five ninjas failing at the same obstacle, Charlie Robbins was deemed to be the "Last Ninja Standing" and awarded the $100,000 prize as he was the fastest ninja to reach this point. This does not mean the series had a " winner " as to win you need to conquer the mountain . This season was the first time on Australian Ninja Warrior that any contestant had qualified for the third stage of the course.

Season 4 (2020)
Main article: Australian Ninja Warrior (season 4)

The fourth season premiered on 26 July 2020, on Nine Network. The season was filmed at Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne. In this season there was a total of over 140 ninjas, each was placed into one of the four heats, with the top 16 in each heat advancing to the Semi Finals. In both of the two Semi Finals, the top 12 competitors continued to the Grand Final where eight ninjas successfully completed the first stage of the course, four completed the second stage and three completed the third stage. Ben Polson was the fastest of the remaining three and was able to climb Mount Midoriyama in 25.56, earning him the title as the first legitimate winner of Australian Ninja Warrior and received $400,000.[28]

Viewership
Season Episodes Premiered Ended Season average Network
Date Premiere viewers
(millions)		 Date Finale viewers
(millions)		 Final stage viewers
(millions)		 Viewers
(millions)		 Rank
1 9
9 July 2017
 1.775[29]
25 July 2017
 2.158[30] 2.227[30] 1.795 1 Nine Network
2 12
8 July 2018
 0.995[31]
31 July 2018
 1.188[32] 1.183[32] 0.978 5
3 10
8 July 2019
 1.073[33]
29 July
2019
 1.296[34] 1.404[34] 1.080 3
4 8
26 July
2020
 1.096[35]
10 August 2020
 1.144[36] 1.272[36] 1.028 3

International broadcasts

On Australia Day, UK game show based channel, Challenge, announced that beginning from 18 February 2018, it would start airing episodes of Australian Ninja Warrior.[37]

Specials

ANW: State of Origin

Announced in August 2020, a two-part series set to premiere on 16 August 2020, will see the best four ninjas from each state competing against each other on a new custom built obstacle courses with the winning team receiving $100,000.[38][39][40]

The special will have 20 returning contestants split into four groups from five different states, the power tower will also return for both parts.[41][42]

Ben Poulson of Team Western Australia won the special coming head to head against Ashlin Herbert of Team Victoria in the final round, the team received $100,000 giving all four team contestants $25,000 each.[43]

Night 1

On Night 1, the same course is used in the first three rounds, but with different number of members (4, 2, solo) on the course that comprises 9 obstacles.

  • Snake Run (1st leg, 1st leg)
  • Propeller Bar to Single Rope Swing (1st, 1st)
  • 6m Spinning Log (2nd, 1st)
  • Salmon Ladder to 2 Flying Shelves (2nd, 1st)
  • 2 Basket Tosses (3rd, 1st)
  • Warped Wall (3rd, 2nd)
  • Barrel Rolls (4th, 2nd)
  • Spider Jump (4th, 2nd)
  • Chimney Sweep with Double Door at the top to buzzer (4th, 2nd)

At the end of each stage, the fastest team advance straight to Day 2. At the end of the three stages, the two slowest team select a member compete in the power tower. The slowest is eliminated.

Night 2

With South Australia eliminated, four remaining teams will battle in three rounds, where one team is eliminated at the end of each round.

Round 1

In round 1, the team will be split into pairs, and each pair run course A of 6 obstacles. The team with the fewest obstacles cleared or the slowest time to finish all 12 obstacles will be eliminated. Western Australia had Sam Goodall running the course twice, but in different order because Zed Colback is medically eliminated due to migrane.

  • Rope Jungle (1st)
  • Spin Hopper
  • 2x Bar Hops
  • Double Squirrel (2nd)
  • Double Ferris Wheel
  • 20/30/40kg Wall Lifts
Team Contestants Team result
Western Australia Ben Polson Winners
Olivia Vivian
Sam Goodall
Zed Colback
Victoria Zak Stolz Runners-up
Ashlin Herbert
Charlie Robbins
Mel Armstrong
Queensland Rob Patterson Eliminated Night 2
Fred Dorrington
Skye Haddy
Ryan Solomon
New South Wales Bryson Klein Eliminated Night 2
Jordan Papandrea
Loki Kuroi
Eloni Vunakece
South Australia Rapheala Wiget Eliminated Night 1
Rhys Menzel
Jarryd Sutton
Nathan Ryles

Ratings
No. Title Air dateTimeslot Overnight ratingsConsolidated ratingsTotal
viewers		 Ref(s)
ViewersRankViewersRank
1 Night 1 16 August 2020Sunday 7:00pm 877,000353,0003930,000 [44][45]
2 Night 2 17 August 2020Monday 7:30pm 736,000941,00011777,000 [46][47]

See also

References
  1. Knox, David (22 June 2017). "It's Australian Ninja Warrior premiere v House Rules finale". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 June 2017.
  2. "ANW season 1 application". My Casting Net. Retrieved 27 July 2017.
  3. Knox, David (8 November 2016). "Nine Upfronts 2017". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  4. "Nine in 2017". nineentertainmentco.com.au. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  5. Knox, David (28 November 2016). "Ben Fordham, Freddie Flintoff join ANW". TV Tonight. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
  6. Knox, David (26 July 2017). "Renewed: Australian Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  7. "ANW season 2 application". My Casting Net. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  8. Knox, David (11 October 2017). "Renewals underpin Nine's 2018 slate". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  9. Knox, David (25 June 2018). "Returning: Australian Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  10. Knox, David (17 October 2018). "Upfronts 2019: Nine: SeaChange, Australian Open, Lego Masters, Bad Mothers". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  11. Knox, David (8 October 2018). "Australian Ninja Warrior confirms move to Melbourne". TV Tonight. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  12. "Watch Ninja Warrior live in Spotswood". Star Weekly. 3 November 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  13. Knox, David (24 June 2019). "Returning: Australian Ninja Warrior 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  14. Knox, David (16 October 2019). "Upfronts 2020: Nine: Informer 3838, Halifax, returning reality juggernauts". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  15. Knox, David (19 February 2020). "Audience tix: Australian Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  16. "Nine locks in new location for AUSTRALIAN NINJA WARRIOR". 18 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  17. "Australian Ninja Warrior moves to new location + tickets now available". Media Week. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  18. Quinn, Karl (15 March 2020). "No live audiences for Q&A, The Project as TV hopes to avoid worst". SMH. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  19. Knox, David (17 March 2020). "COVID-19: Rebecca Maddern / Survivor reunion / Aust. Got Talent delay". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  20. Knox, David (18 March 2020). "Rebecca Maddern cleared, returns to Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  21. Gavin, Rachael (3 August 2020). "Freddie Flintoff forced to leave Australian Ninja Warrior mid-season due to coronavirus border closures". 9Now. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  22. Knox, David (13 July 2020). "Returning: Australian Ninja Warrior 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  23. "Ninja Warrior's new $400,000 winner makes history". NewsComAu. 10 August 2020. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  24. Lallo, Michael (16 September 2020). "Nine seeks to COVID-proof 2021 line-up with fewer live reality shows". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
  25. Knox, David (12 November 2020). "Auditions: Australian Ninja Warrior 2021". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  26. Knox, David (8 February 2021). "Australian Ninja Warrior 2021 heads to Homebus". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  27. Knox, David (16 July 2019). "How producers cast Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Archived from the original on 15 July 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  28. Knox, David (10 August 2020). "Australian Ninja Warrior 2020 grand finale: Ben Polson wins, scores $400,000". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  29. Knox, David (22 July 2017). "Timeshifted: Sunday 9 July 2017". TV Tonight. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
  30. Knox, David (4 August 2017). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 25 July 2017". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  31. Knox, David (29 July 2018). "Timeshifted: Sunday 8 July 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  32. Knox, David (8 August 2018). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 31 July 2018". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  33. Knox, David (19 July 2019). "Timeshifted: Monday 8 July 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  34. Knox, David (9 August 2019). "Timeshifted: Monday 29 July 2019". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
  35. Knox, David (7 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Sunday 26 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  36. Knox, David (21 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Monday 10 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  37. "**New Show Alert**Happy #Strayaday all . To celebrate the big day down under we thought we'd let you all know that Ninja Warrior Australia is winging it's [sic] way from down under to Challenge TV next month. What a ripper! #AustraliaDaypic.twitter.com/UD9oSxF8Bx". www.twitter.com. Twitter. 26 January 2018.
  38. Knox, David (6 August 2020). "Australian Ninja Warrior: Aug 9 / 10. Airdate: ANW: State of Origin". TV Tonight. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  39. "What's on TV: Sunday, August 16". Sydney Morning Herald. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  40. "TV Guide: Australian Ninja Warrior Grand Final on Nine". Mediaweek. 9 August 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  41. Knox, David (13 August 2020). "Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin: meet the teams". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  42. "State pride is on the line in special Australian Ninja Warrior State of Origin series". TV Black Box. 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 August 2020.
  43. Conte, Peter (17 August 2020). "Western Australia wins Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin". 9Now. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  44. Knox, David (17 August 2020). "Sunday 16 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  45. Knox, David (29 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Sunday 16 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  46. Knox, David (18 August 2020). "Monday 17 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 August 2020.
  47. Knox, David (29 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Monday 17 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
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