The Nine Network today announced that Rebecca Maddern will host the all new series of Australian Ninja Warrior set to debut in 2017.

Australian Ninja Warrior will explode onto Australian screens in an entertainment event unlike any other as 250 Aussies line up to tackle the world’s toughest assault course – determined to beat it and be crowned the nation’s first Ninja Warrior.

In a coup for one of the biggest TV shows in the world, Maddern will bring her respected media talents to the program as the Australian series of Ninja Warrior starts to take shape.

Maddern’s career has spanned 15 years in the industry, including major roles across both radio and television. She joined the Nine Network in early 2016 to co-host The AFL Footy Show where she has been a revelation.

“I’m very excited to be hosting Australian Ninja Warrior. It’s a brand new format for Channel Nine and has a huge following overseas. It’s fresh, highly competitive and very entertaining. I know Australia will love it and I can’t wait for it to begin,” Maddern said.

Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift, is thrilled to have Maddern joining Australian Ninja Warrior.

“Ninja Warrior is one of the biggest shows in the world and will feature some of Australia’s most amazing athletes. Rebecca will bring her journalistic insight, her sporting expertise, and most of all her huge enthusiasm to this massive new TV event. We’re proud to have her hosting the show,” Swift said.

Production is planned to commence in December 2016 before the program premieres on Nine in the second half of 2017. Further announcements regarding the production will be announced in the coming weeks.

About Australian Ninja Warrior
In the US and UK, Ninja Warrior has proved to be a ratings smash for NBC and ITV, pulling in broad family audiences with its gripping mix of heart-pounding action and inspiring back stories as everyday heroes push themselves beyond their physical and emotional limits to claim the title.

Known as Sasuke throughout Asia, it was originally conceived as an impossible-to-conquer obstacle course by the Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS) in 1997. Now, after 31 seasons in Japan, it has grown into a global mega-hit under the banner of Ninja Warrior, with productions in more than 12 territories, and the finished tape played in over 165 different regions.

Some will rise but most will fall in their quest to conquer this mind-blowing obstacle course and be crowned the first Australian Ninja Warrior.

ABOUT NINE ENTERTAINMENT CO.
When it comes to connecting brands with the passions of Australians, there’s no other media company like Nine Entertainment Co. As the home of Australia’s most trusted and loved brands spanning news, lifestyle, entertainment and sport, we pride ourselves on creating and curating quality content, accessed by consumers when and how they want. With investments spanning digital and broadcast, we reimagine how Australians are entertained, informed and connect through content each and every day. Nine Entertainment Co. assets include the Nine Network, Mi9, a 50% stake in subscription video-on-demand provider Stan, interests in Sky News Australia and Yellow Brick Road, and a strategic partnership with Microsoft

ABOUT ENDEMOL SHINE AUSTRALIA
Endemol Shine Australia (ESA) is a part of Endemol Shine Group, the joint venture bringing together Endemol, Shine and CORE Media to form a global content creator, producer and distributor across scripted and non-scripted genres. ESA was formed in 2015 and is led by CEOs Mark and Carl Fennessy. Based in Sydney, ESA’s team comprises proven leaders in television and digital production whose shows have become rating hits. ESA’s slate represents some of the most exciting and popular programming on Australian free-to-air networks and subscription television channels.

ABOUT TOKYO BROADCASTING SYSTEM TELEVISION (TBS)
With over 50 years of experience licensing programming overseas, TBS has distributed programs of all genres – dramas, anime, documentaries, formats, movies – totalling tens of thousands of hours of programming in over 160 countries worldwide, and has firmly established its presence as a major content provider in the global arena. TBS is one of the most innovative broadcasters in creating variety formats, having licensed nearly 200 localised versions with several thousand episodes being produced, including global hits like America’s Funniest Home Videos, Takeshi’s Castle/MXC, Sasuke/Ninja Warrior, etc. TBS program catalogue online: http://www.tbscontents.com/en/
TBS Global Business Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tbs.intl.sales.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

For further information:
Ryley McKay
Nine Network Publicity
02 9965 2727 – 0413 378 052
rmckay@nine.com.au