NBC has renewed “American Ninja Warrior” for a fifth season, network chairman Robert Greenblatt announced Thursday at the TCA press tour in Los Angeles.
The obstacle course competition series, hosted by Matt Iseman and former NFL player Akbar Gbajabiamila, and co-hosted by Kristine Leahy, has set ratings records in its current fourth season on NBC.
So far this summer, “American Ninja Warrior” is averaging a 2.2 rating, and 7.1 million viewers overall. The show is matching its best season to date at this point in the summer in 18-49 demographic and is delivering its top season outright at this point in total viewers.
The series follows competitors as they tackle a series of obstacle courses in both city qualifying and city finals rounds across the country. This season the show traveled to Venice Beach, Kansas City, Houston, Orlando, Pittsburgh and San Pedro.
Those that successfully complete the finals course in their designated region move on to the national finals round in Las Vegas, where they face a stunning four-stage course modeled after the famed Mt. Midoriyama course in Japan.
The series is executive-produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions’ founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed (“Hell’s Kitchen,” “Unsung,” “Ellen’s Design Challenge”), along with Brian Richardson and Anthony Storm.
The season finale of “American Ninja Warrior” will air Sept. 14 in a special three-hour telecast beginning at 8pm.