Cue the breaking-glass ramp music: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin‘s “Broken Skull Challenge” will return to CMT.
Additionally, the Viacom cable channel has unveiled a shared Aug. 25 premiere date for new seasons of “I Love Kellie Pickler” and “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team.”
“Broken Skull Challenge is the toughest show on television and you can bet your bottom dollar Season 4 will be totally off the charts,” Austin told TheWrap.
“‘Broken Skull Challenge’ set a new bar for competition series that both inspire and drive its fans,” Jayson Dinsmore, head of development for CMT, added. “The series has certainly earned its rep as the toughest show on television and we can’t wait to see what Steve’s planned for this season.”
“Broken Skull Challenge” is produced by 51 Minds Entertainment. Austin, Christian Sarabia, Vincent Cariati and co-executive producer Steve Kaufman. Julia Silverton and Dinsmore executive produce for CMT.
On the sophomore season of Pickler’s reality series, fans will be introduced to Kellie and Kyle’s family. Viewers will follow the couple as they navigate some once-in-a lifetime situations including a must-see visit to Japan and go behind the scenes as they prepare for their appearance on “Celebrity Family Feud.”
The “American Idol” alum will also attempt various occupations including re-living her first job as a Sonic waitress, as well as becoming an Uber driver for charity — despite her lack of reputable driving skills and inability to follow directions.
“I Love Kellie Pickler” is produced by Ryan Seacrest Productions and 51 Minds Entertainment with executive producers Ryan Seacrest, Christian Sarabia, Jennifer McGrogan, Pickler and Kyle Jacobs. Jayson Dinsmore and Morgan Selzer executive produce for CMT.
“CMT’s unscripted series mirror the optimism and passion of our fans,” Dinsmore said of his whole slate. “Our shows are smart, spirited and play an important role in attracting new audiences.”
That series’ lead-in, “Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making The Team,” returns for Season 11 the same evening at 9 p.m. As always, the run will follow a new group of hopefuls who compete to fulfill their lifelong dream of landing a highly coveted spot on the elite Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders squad.
Melissa Rycroft returns to mentor the new recruits, while Pickler (crossover!) makes a surprise visit to Training Camp to learn some moves and share insight into how she handles being in the spotlight. Fellow Texan and Grammy Award-winner Kacey Musgraves will also stop by to talk to the girls about staying true to themselves, and share her stand-out picks to make the team.
This season features a professional Japanese cheerleader who will battle a language barrier, a single mother who wants to prove to her six-year-old daughter that its never too late to follow your dreams, as well as several “comeback” girls who finally make it into training camp after years of unsuccessful tryouts.
The program is produced by Triage Entertainment with executive producers Stu Schreiberg, Stephen Kroopnick, Eugene Pack, Peter Zasuly, Charlotte Jones Anderson and Kelli McGonagill Finglass. Jayson Dinsmore and Matt Trierweiler executive produce for CMT.