Australian Spartan
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}}
{{Use Australian English|date=January 2018}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Australian Spartan logo.png
| genre = {{plainlist|
}}
| runtime =
| creator =
| presenter = {{plainlist|
}}
| starring =
| network = {{Plainlist|
- Seven Network (season 1)
- 7mate (season 2)
}}
| country = Australia
| language = English
| first_aired = {{start date|2018|02|25|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{end date|2019|12|04|df=y}}
| num_series = 2
| num_episodes = 10
| company = {{plainlist|
}}
| producer =
| related = Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge
}}
Australian Spartan is an Australian sports entertainment and reality competition television series. An adaptation of the American format Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge, it is hosted by Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan with Wendell Sailor as sideline reporter. The series follows teams of contestants obstacle racing through courses based on spartan races. The first season premiered on the Seven Network on 25 February 2018.
Background and production
The format was first rumoured in August 2017, following the recent surprise success of Nine Network series Australian Ninja Warrior, which is of a similar genre. The Seven Network wanted to capitalise on the popularity of fitness-themed programming, and sought a related format.{{Cite news |last=Carmody |first=Broede |date=2017-08-03 |title=Seven Network poised to capitalise on Nine's Australian Ninja Warrior success |work=The Age |publisher=Fairfax Media |url=http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/reality/seven-network-poised-to-capitalise-on-nines-australian-ninja-warrior-success-20170802-gxo2fz.html |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2018-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165215/http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/reality/seven-network-poised-to-capitalise-on-nines-australian-ninja-warrior-success-20170802-gxo2fz.html |archive-date=2018-01-11}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2017-08-03 |title=Rumour: Seven mulling Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge? |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/08/rumour-seven-mulling-spartan-ultimate-team-challenge.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165054/https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/08/rumour-seven-mulling-spartan-ultimate-team-challenge.html |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=TV Tonight}} A casting notice for Australian Spartan was announced the following month{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2017-09-02 |title=Auditions: Australian Spartan |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/auditions-australian-spartan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165146/https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/auditions-australian-spartan.html |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=TV Tonight}} with Seven confirming it was the broadcaster weeks later, with Matchbox Pictures and Eureka Productions producing the program.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2017-09-29 |title=Seven confirms Australian Spartan |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/seven-confirms-australian-spartan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165105/https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/09/seven-confirms-australian-spartan.html |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=TV Tonight}}
Edwina Bartholomew and Hamish McLachlan were announced as co-hosts in November 2017{{Cite web |date=2017-11-05 |title=Seven Unveils Hosts For 2018's Australian Spartan |url=http://www.bandt.com.au/media/seven-unveil-hosts-2018s-australian-spartan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165023/http://www.bandt.com.au/media/seven-unveil-hosts-2018s-australian-spartan |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=B&T}} with Wendell Sailor joining the hosting team the following month.{{Cite news |last=Carmody |first=Broede |date=2017-12-11 |title=Rugby legend Wendell Sailor joins Seven's Australian Spartan |work=Sydney Morning Herald |publisher=Fairfax Media |url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/rugby-legend-wendell-sailor-joins-sevens-australian-spartan-20171211-h02hon.html |url-status=live |access-date=2018-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111170521/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/rugby-legend-wendell-sailor-joins-sevens-australian-spartan-20171211-h02hon.html |archive-date=2018-01-11}} The series is filmed in Brisbane{{Cite news |last=Symonds |first=Kristy |date=2017-10-12 |title=Channel 7's Australian Spartan to be filmed in Queensland |work=The Courier-Mail |publisher=News Corp |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/confidential/channel-7s-australian-spartan-to-be-filmed-in-queensland/news-story/fb962ca37f41f94fb55114a6300ce000 |url-access=subscription |access-date=2018-01-11}} with funding from the Government of Queensland's Screen Queensland.{{Cite web |date=2017-12-20 |title=Brisbane rises to the challenge with Australian Spartan |url=http://screenqueensland.com.au/news/brisbane-rises-to-the-challenge-with-australian-spartan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111224111/http://screenqueensland.com.au/news/brisbane-rises-to-the-challenge-with-australian-spartan/ |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=Screen Queensland}} Two seasons of the show were filmed prior to the first season's broadcast.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-04-03 |title=Sydney trio wins Australian Spartan |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/sydney-trio-wins-australian-spartan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403112605/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/sydney-trio-wins-australian-spartan.html |archive-date=2018-04-03 |access-date=2018-04-03 |website=TV Tonight}}
The original American format Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge airs in Australia on subscription television channel FOX8.
Broadcast
The series was expected to air in the second quarter of 2018, after the Seven Network's broadcast of the 2018 Commonwealth Games.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2017-10-28 |title=Seven 2018: programming grid |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/10/seven-2018-programming.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111165124/https://tvtonight.com.au/2017/10/seven-2018-programming.html |archive-date=2018-01-11 |access-date=2018-01-11 |website=TV Tonight}} However, the show's debut was brought forward to 25 February 2018 to precede the Seven Network's coverage of the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-02-19 |title=Airdate: Australian Spartan |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/airdate-australian-spartan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090509/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/airdate-australian-spartan.html |archive-date=2018-02-19 |access-date=2018-02-19 |website=TV Tonight}} After two episodes being aired, the show was bumped from the Sunday primetime slot, returning during the Easter non-ratings period.{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-05 |title=Gone: Australian Spartan |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/gone-australian-spartan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305092540/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/gone-australian-spartan.html |archive-date=2018-03-05 |access-date=2018-03-05 |website=TV Tonight}}
Because of the first season's mediocre ratings, the already shot second season was shelved for more than a year before it was announced that it would premiere on 6 November 2019 at 7:30pm on Seven’s multichannel, 7mate.{{Cite web |last1=Perry |first1=Kevin |last2=Ryan |first2=Aaron |date=2019-10-27 |title=Second Season of AUSTRALIAN SPARTAN Finally Gets A Premiere Date |url=https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/10/26/2017-11-5-seven-name-australian-spartan-hosts-dj9r4/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027081957/https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2017/11/5/seven-name-australian-spartan-hosts-dj9r4 |archive-date=2019-10-27 |access-date=2019-10-27 |website=TV Blackbox}}
Format
The show begins with sixty teams consisting of three competitors each, with 20 teams each competing in three initial heats. The top 5 teams from each of the heats (who have completed the course or have progressed the farthest if they had not) then repeat the same course in the semi-final, resulting in a top 10 who take on each other in an extended course. The top 2 teams then compete head to head for the grand prize on a special, shortened course.
Obstacles
The main course is divided into two zones, a dry zone and a wet zone. Both feature water; in the dry zone any competitor who touches the water results in their team instantly ending their run, while the wet zone features obstacles that are within or flooded by water. Some obstacles also involve time limits.
Viewership
=Season 1=
{{Australian television episode ratings
| backgroundcolour = #2D5A88
| hidetimeslot=
| generic = yes
| title1 = Heat 1
| date1 = 25 February 2018
| timeslot1 = Sunday 7:00pm
| OVviewers1 = 816,000
| OVrank1 = 5
| CONviewers1 = 32,000
| CONrank1 = 5
| total1 = 848,000
| ref1 = {{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-02-26 |title=Sunday 25 February 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/sunday-25-february-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211713/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/02/sunday-25-february-2018.html |archive-date=2018-02-26 |access-date=2018-02-26 |website=TV Tonight}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-10 |title=Timeshifted: Sunday 25 February 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/timeshifted-sunday-25-february-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310201008/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/timeshifted-sunday-25-february-2018.html |archive-date=2018-03-10 |access-date=2018-03-10 |website=TV Tonight}}
| title2 = Heat 2
| date2 = 4 March 2018
| timeslot2 = Sunday 7:00pm
| OVviewers2 = 524,000
| OVrank2 = 10
| CONviewers2 = 21,000
| CONrank2 = 10
| total2 = 545,000
| ref2 = {{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-05 |title=Sunday 4 March 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/sunday-4-march-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305142604/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/sunday-4-march-2018.html |archive-date=2018-03-05 |access-date=2018-03-05 |website=TV Tonight}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-14 |title=Timeshifted: Sunday 4 March 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/timeshifted-sunday-4-march-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315133424/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/timeshifted-sunday-4-march-2018.html |archive-date=2018-03-15 |access-date=2018-03-15 |website=TV Tonight}}
| title3 = Heat 3
| date3 = 25 March 2018
| timeslot3 = Sunday 7:00pm
| OVviewers3 = 462,000
| OVrank3 = 9
| CONviewers3 = 10,000
| CONrank3 = 12
| total3 = 472,000
| ref3 = {{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-26 |title=Sunday 25 March 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/sunday-25-march-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326142018/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/sunday-25-march-2018.html |archive-date=2018-03-26 |access-date=2018-03-26 |website=TV Tonight}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-04-08 |title=Timeshifted: Sunday 25 March 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/timshifted-sunday-25-march-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409043310/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/timshifted-sunday-25-march-2018.html |archive-date=2018-04-09 |access-date=2018-04-08 |website=TV Tonight}}
| title4 = Semi-final
| date4 = 26 March 2018
| timeslot4 = Monday 7:30pm
| OVviewers4 = 401,000
| OVrank4 =
| CONviewers4 =
| CONrank4 =
| total4 =
| ref4 = {{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-03-27 |title=Young Sheldon launches to 1.05m viewers |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/young-sheldon-launches-to-1-05m-viewers.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327021637/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/03/young-sheldon-launches-to-1-05m-viewers.html |archive-date=2018-03-27 |access-date=2018-03-27 |website=TV Tonight}}
| title5 = Final
| date5 = 2 April 2018
| timeslot5 = Monday 7:30pm
| OVviewers5 = 447,000
| OVrank5 = 16
| CONviewers5 = 21,000
| CONrank5 = 15
| total5 = 468,000
| ref5 = {{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-04-03 |title=Monday 2 April 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/monday-2-april-2018.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403174842/https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/monday-2-april-2018.html |archive-date=2018-04-03 |access-date=2018-04-03 |website=TV Tonight}}{{Cite web |last=Knox |first=David |date=2018-04-14 |title=Timeshifted: Monday 2 April 2018 |url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2018/04/timeshifted-monday-2-april-2018.html |access-date=2018-04-14 |website=TV Tonight}}
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|8258348}}
- {{official website|https://7plus.com.au/australian-spartan}}
{{Portal|Television}}
Category:Australian English-language television shows
Category:Seven Network original programming
Category:2018 Australian television series debuts
Category:2019 Australian television series endings
Category:2010s Australian game shows
Category:2010s Australian reality television series
Category:Television series by Matchbox Pictures
Category:Television series by Eureka
Category:Obstacle racing television game shows
Category:Spartan obstacle race franchise
Category:Australian television series based on American television series