Wipeout is an American game show television series in which contestants compete in what is billed as the "world's largest obstacle course" in which contestants compete through four rounds of competition until a final winner is chosen.
The first round features 24 contestants, while only the top four make it to the final round called the Wipeout Zone, where the winner earns the title of Wipeout Champion and a $50,000 grand prize.
The series premiered in the USA on ABC on 24 June, 2008.
Wipeout premiered in South Africa on M-Net and M-Net HD on Friday 5 March 2010, at 19h00. It later aired on DStv's Vuzu channel. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Synopsis
Each week we watch 24 newbies of all ages, shapes and sizes, step up to the start of the world's largest extreme obstacle course — all with the confidence that they will be named the "Wipeout Champion."
Hosts John Anderson and John Henson provide the running commentary as we watch the contestants compete in such wild and crazy stunts like "The Catapult," "Plank in the Face," "Hurtles" and more.
To keep it fresh, even more outrageous stunts are added to the course each week. Meanwhile Jill Wagner (Seasons 1-4) or Vanessa Lachey (since Season 5) is downside "course-side" giving us all the one-on-one interviews with these crazy-minded folks going for it.
In the end, after being pummeled in the qualifier, thrashed in the second round, plastered in the grueling third set of obstacles, we cheer as the four finalists head for the big kahuna, the Wipeout Zone.
The bright lights, big splashes and even tougher obstacles are jaw dropping. The winner brings home the title and cash on another week of Wipeout.
The Executive producers are Matt Kunitz and Scott Larsen (Fear Factor). Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers.
Wipeout is produced by Endemol USA.
Seasons
Note: the broadcast on M-Net is simulcast in HD
Season 1 (12 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 5 Mar 2010 | Finale: 25 Jun 2010 | Fridays, 19h00/20h30
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 4 Jun 2010 | Finale: 27 Aug 2010 | Fridays, 11h00
Season 2 (16 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 2 Jul 2010 | Finale: 15 Oct 2010 | Fridays, 20h30
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 25 Oct 2011 | Finale: 31 Jan 2012 | Tuesdays, 10h30
Season 3 (19 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 12 Nov 2010 | Finale: 18 Mar 2011 | Fridays, 19h30
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 7 Feb 2012 | Finale: 12 Jun 2012 | Tuesdays, 10h30
Season 4 (32 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 2 Dec 2011 | Finale: 6 Jul 2012 | Fridays, 19h30
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 27 Jul 2012 | Finale: 17 Feb 2013 | Sundays, 20h00
Season 5 (24 episodes)
Channel: M-Net | Premiere: 24 Aug 2012 | Finale: 1 Feb 2013 | Fridays, 19h30
Channel: Vuzu | Premiere: 5 Jun 2013 | Finale: 16 Jul 2013 | Weekdays, 21h30