ITV Cancels Ninja Warrior Due to Ratings

ITV has officially axed its long-running show Ninja Warrior, citing its inability to compete with the BBC's revived Gladiators, which has soared in popularity. Ninja Warrior, which aired its first series in 2015, once attracted significant viewership, reaching 4.18 million in its prime. However, the latest Gladiators series averaged over 8.3 million viewers, with its debut episode drawing 9.8 million, while Ninja Warrior's final series in 2022 only garnered 1.6 million viewers. Sources indicate that the decision to permanently rest Ninja Warrior was influenced by Gladiators' overwhelming success, which has resonated with family audiences. Gladiators is set to return for a second series early next year, including a celebrity special, further solidifying its dominance in the ratings. ITV's decision reflects the changing landscape of primetime entertainment and viewer preferences.