Australian Spartan
| Company type | Television program |
|---|---|
| Industry | Television entertainment |
| Founded | February 25, 2018 |
| Headquarters | Brisbane , Australia |
| Products | Reality competition television series |
| Parent | Seven Network |
Australian Spartan is a reality competition and sports entertainment television program from Australia, adapted from the American show Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge. The series is presented by Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan, with Wendell Sailor serving as the on-course reporter. Contestants participate in team-based obstacle challenges inspired by spartan race events. The premiere season debuted on the Seven Network on 25 February 2018.
Background and production
After the success of Nine Network’s Australian Ninja Warrior, Seven Network aimed to capture audience interest in fitness-oriented reality programming through a similar concept. Reports about Australian Spartan surfaced in August 2017, followed by casting calls in September, with Seven officially announcing the series soon after. Production was handled by Matchbox Pictures and Eureka Productions.
In November 2017, co-hosts Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan were revealed, and in December, former rugby athlete Wendell Sailor joined as sideline reporter. Filming occurred in Brisbane, benefiting from financial support provided by the Government of Queensland via Screen Queensland. Two seasons were completed before the initial airing.
The original American version is broadcast in Australia on the subscription channel FOX8.
Broadcast
Originally planned for release in the second quarter of 2018 following Seven Network’s coverage of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, the series premiere was advanced to 25 February 2018 to lead into the network’s telecast of the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony. After airing two episodes, it was pulled from the Sunday prime-time schedule and later returned during the Easter non-ratings period.
Due to underwhelming ratings during its first season, the pre-recorded second season remained unaired for over a year before finally premiering on 6 November 2019 at 7:30 pm on Seven’s secondary channel, 7mate.
Format
The competition begins with sixty teams, each consisting of three members, divided into three separate heats containing 20 teams apiece. From each heat, the leading five teams—determined by either course completion or distance covered—advance to a semi-final round featuring the same course. The top ten teams then compete on an extended course, culminating with the two highest-ranking teams facing off directly on a shortened special course for the grand prize.
Obstacles
The obstacle course is segmented into dry and wet sections. In the dry section, any competitor who contacts water causes their team’s run to end immediately, whereas obstacles in the wet section are partially or fully submerged. Certain obstacles also impose time constraints for completion.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Australian English-language television shows
- Seven Network original programming
- 2018 Australian television series debuts
- 2019 Australian television series endings
- 2010s Australian game shows
- 2010s Australian reality television series
- Television series by Matchbox Pictures
- Television series by Eureka
- Obstacle racing television game shows
- Spartan obstacle race franchise
- Australian television series based on American television series