Gladiators (franchise)
Gladiators is a sports entertainment television show that was first broadcast in the United States and was an international success during the 1990s and early 2000s.
The concept of the show is that athletic members of the public battle against the show's own Gladiators to claim points in several events that require speed, strength and skill. In the final event of the show, "The Eliminator" the contenders race against each other, with the first to finish winning the episode and moving onto the next round.
Versions of the show were filmed for local broadcasters in the United Kingdom, Finland, Japan, Australia, South Africa, Sweden, Nigeria, and Denmark. Selected athletes from Russia, Germany, Netherlands, South Korea and The Bahamas would also compete in international shows during the series' original run, despite the fact that they did not have their own domestic series.
After a lengthy break, Gladiators was revived in 2008 in the UK, the US and Australia; in 2009 Lebanon created their own series featuring competitors from all over the Arab region and in 2012 Sweden brought back their version which proved most successful of all the first revivals, with another revival airing in Finland during 2017 and 2019. A further British revival began airing in 2024 and was followed by a second Australian revival; later that year a French version was launched for the first time, however both of the latter versions were poorly received and attracted low ratings. Both versions were swiftly cancelled as a result. In May 2025, a Russian version of the show debuted. Later an American reboot went into production mid-2025 for an early 2026 debut, and, after thirty years since last competing in the international editions, Germany announced it would produce their own debut domestic series.
A children's derivative of the concept was also made in the US, called Gladiators 2000 . A UK variant of this was aired starting in 1995, called Gladiators: Train 2 Win. A one-off, celebrity derivative primetime special in the US, called Superstar American Gladiators aired on ABC on May 4, 1995.
History
1990s success
The initial concept for the show by Dan Carr and John C. Ferraro was held in Erie, Pennsylvania, in the USA before being sold to Samuel Goldwyn Productions/MGM where the format was adapted and televised as American Gladiators with the first series airing over 1989–90. As the show progressed, new events were introduced along with new Gladiators, sometimes retiring previous Gladiators.Following the success of American Gladiators, other countries began to produce their own versions of the show with the UK and Finland starting production in 1992. American Gladiators had already picked up a cult following in the UK after being shown on late night TV. The UK, most noticeably adapted the concept into a large arena, glamorising the show, often adapting events from the American series as well as introducing many of their own, often more high-tech. Winners from the UK and Finnish series would then go over to America, to film a special show of American Gladiators in which they competed against the current American champions along with selected athletes from other territories such as Japan and the Bahamas and South Korea.
In early 1995, the first full scale international competition was launched in which selected Gladiators from the American, Finnish and British series competed against contender champions from those three countries. A fourth country, Russia was added but as they did not have their own domestic series, the Gladiators and contenders were hand-picked by Russian TV producers. The Finnish series ceased production after International Gladiators 1.
In 1995, Australia began production of their own show, basing it on the UK series. After the first series, a three part 'Ashes' mini series was filmed in Australia, in which a selection of British and Australian Gladiators faced champions from the opposing countries. Australia then went on to compete in International Gladiators 2 along with the UK and the US. Russia also returned, even though they still did not have a domestic series. Germany and South Africa also competed even though they too did not have their own domestic series.
Decline
After International Gladiators 2, the American Gladiators series ceased production due to falling ratings, although a live dinner show ran in Florida between 1996 and 1998. The UK and Australia continued to produce their own editions of the show, with the UK continuing to add new events to its roster with Australia adding events from the UK series in its second and third series.In 1996, the UK and Australia faced each other again in 'the Ashes 2' this time held in the UK Gladiator arena and an Australia vs. Russia mini series was filmed in Australia with two of the Russian Gladiators who had appeared in International Gladiators 2 appearing alongside new faces. After both of the mini series were filmed and aired, the Australian show was cancelled due to falling ratings, even though plans for a fourth domestic series had commenced, which would include a brand new event that would be exclusive to Australia. A third series of International Gladiators was planned to be filmed in Australia, but this was cancelled after ITV and LWT refused to finance another series. A third Ashes series was also planned for 1997, but this was also cancelled by the time the UK's sixth domestic series aired.
In 1997, South Africa competed against the UK in the Springbok Challenge held in the UK Gladiator arena, despite the fact that they did not have their own domestic series. Only one of the South African Gladiators who appeared in International Gladiators 2 appeared.
In 1998, there were plans for the show to have a massive overhaul, but this was cancelled after it was announced that the UK series was to be axed due to falling ratings. A final mini series in which past champions competed was filmed instead. It was at this time that South Africa finally began production of their own series and in 2000, a team of UK Gladiators and contenders went over to film the Springbok Challenge 2, a series filmed exclusively for South African TV only.
New millennium
With the South African production in full swing, other territories began producing their own versions. Sweden began producing their own version in 2000 under the name Gladiatorerna, with the old UK apparatus being shipped over. Before TV4 started producing its own seasons, the American version was broadcast in the 1990s with Swedish commentators. Short lived series in Nigeria and Denmark followed.In 2001, the South African series was overhauled, but it proved unpopular with viewers and the show was axed. Sweden continued to produce Gladiators, creating an event unique to the series, Spidercage, before being axed in 2004.
The revival
In August 2007, NBC confirmed that a revival of American Gladiators would be produced by Reveille Productions and MGM Television to air mid season during early 2008. In addition to events from the original show, the series drew elements from the 1990s UK series as well as being updated for the new millennium in which several events would be played over water. The UK also produced a revival of Gladiators. In September 2007, the Seven Network in Australia announced that it too was reviving Gladiators, although unlike the American revival, the Australian revival was to follow the lines of its predecessor rather than be overhauled.The first episode of the new American Gladiators premiered on Sunday 6 January 2008 proving to be a ratings hit. A second season was instantly commissioned. At the same time, it was announced that Sky One were commissioning a UK revival which would follow the basis set by the American revival.
The Australian revival premiered on 30 March 2008 with the UK series starting on Sunday 11 May. Both revivals proved instant ratings hits for their respective channels. On 12 May 2008, the second season of the American show began, with the series being moved to a bigger arena.
Due to low ratings, the Seven Network placed filming for a second series on hold and released the Gladiators from their holding contracts. NBC similarly have yet to commission a third series due to ratings for the second series being lower than expected.
The UK revival first aired in August 2008, a second series aired in January 2009. On 20 May 2009, the UK series was axed by the new controller for Sky 1, Stuart Murphy.
The Arab World launched its own version in 2009 featuring contenders and Gladiators from all over the Arab region. It only lasted one season.
Between 2012 and 2017, the Swedish version, known as Gladiatorerna, made a return to television and the revived show proved to be successful and is the longest lasting revival of the franchise.
Potential revivals
In July 2014, Arthur A. Smith company announced plans to bring American Gladiators back again for the third time and were shopping the idea to networks to give it a home, this version would have incorporated elements that were inspired by films such as The Hunger Games along with mixed martial arts.In August 2018, actor Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg announced plans to bring American Gladiators back again for the fourth time and are shopping the idea to distributors who are interested in the revival.
In August 2019, former UK gladiator Wolf said in a Lorraine interview, he has been begging TV producers to bring back the UK version of the show for a third time. Davina McCall expressed an interest to host the show later that month.
In September 2021, it was reported that MGM Television has teaming up with WWE for a reboot of American Gladiators that will featuring WWE wrestlers. The project is currently being pitched to broadcasters and streaming platforms.