MGM Revives ‘Gladiators 2000’ for Fall ’08

By Chris Pursell

While Hulk Hogan has helped revive the “American Gladiators” franchise on NBC, MGM announced at NATPE that the studio will bring back “Gladiators 2000” from the shelves for off-network syndication for the fall of 2008.

The series was originally shot in the 1990s as a half-hour show in which teens would compete in “Gladiators” fashion.

“The launch of ‘Gladiators 2000’ is a timely initiative, which fits perfectly in our multiplatform strategy for the franchise,” said Jim Packer, co-president of MGM Worldwide Television. “The series offers stations a unique alternative to weekend (i.e., educational) programming and, with the current success of the new NBC version of ‘Gladiators,’ it’s a great fit. And we know audiences will be receptive.”

In the series, teens compete in games that challenge their physical abilities as well as their knowledge of nutrition, fitness and the human body. Thirty-nine episodes of the series will be offered to stations.

The launch of “Gladiators 2000” follows the studio’s recent announcement that it is developing the “American Gladiators” franchise with a multimedia promotional campaign that includes a cross-city tour and cartoon series.

Also this week at NATPE, MGM is rolling out the new “American Gladiators” franchise broadband Web site www.americangladiators.com. The site, which launches Wednesday, is a multimedia homage to the original “American Gladiators” series.