Gladiators (1995 Australian TV series)

Gladiators
GenreSports entertainment
Created by
  • Dan Carr
  • John Ferraro
Developed byMGM Television
Directed byTimothy Kupsch
Presented by
Narrated byTony Schibeci
Theme music composer
  • Cameron Tait
  • Marty Irwin
  • Noel MacDonald
Country of originAustralia
Original languageEnglish
No. of series3
No. of episodes70 (3 unaired)
Production
Executive producers
  • Patrick Condon
  • Des Monaghan
Producers
  • Bill Edmonds
  • Roger Kirk
Production locationsBrisbane Entertainment Centre, Queensland
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time60 minutes (inc. adverts)
Original release
NetworkSeven Network in association with The Samuel Goldwyn Company
Release29 April 1995 (1995-04-29) –
12 October 1996 (1996-10-12)
Related
Gladiators (2008)
Gladiators (2024)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Gladiators is an Australian television series which aired on Saturday nights on the Seven Network from 29 April 1995 until 12 October 1996 almost consecutively for eighteen months. It was based on the popular franchise of the same name, which started with American Gladiators in 1989. However the Australian show was more heavily based on the British version of the 1990s with events, format and even music being used from that show.

All three series of the show were filmed at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 1995, and was hosted by Kimberley Joseph and Aaron Pedersen, with Mike Hammond replacing Pedersen after the first series. The show was refereed by John Alexander in the first series, and Mike Whitney thereafter. John Forsythe served as assistant referee.

A short-lived revival of the show aired in 2008. In July 2023, following the BBC’s revival of the British version, the show was confirmed to return for the second time, set to be revived by Warner Bros. Television Studios[1][2] and began broadcasting on Network Ten on 15 January 2024, hosted by Beau Ryan and Liz Ellis, but was cancelled in May later that year due to a lack of audience.[3][4]

  1. ^ Perry, Kevin (19 July 2023). "Reality TV classic GLADIATORS set to return to Australian screens". TV Blackbox.
  2. ^ "The classic '90s television show, 'Gladiators', is slated for a reboot in Australia, and TV Blackbox can now confirm Channel 10 will be the new home for the series". 6 August 2023.
  3. ^ Molk, Steve (12 September 2023). "Channel 10 confirm LIZ ELLIS and BEAU RYAN to host GLADIATORS AUSTRALIA in 2024". TV Blackbox.
  4. ^ Knox, David (12 September 2023). "Gladiators set for 10 in 2024". TV Tonight.