Ninja Warrior Returns to U.S. TV Screens on Esquire Network

UNIVERSAL CITY: Ten years after its premiere on G4, Ninja Warrior is returning to the small screen in the U.S., thanks to a multiyear licensing agreement between Esquire Network and producers Tokyo Broadcasting System Television (TBS).

The Japanese obstacle course competition series makes its U.S. return with a Labor Day Weekend marathon on Esquire Network, beginning Saturday, September 3, at 7 a.m. that will run through Tuesday, September 6, at 4 a.m. The marathon will feature 26 Sasuke tournaments and 7 Women of Ninja Warrior (Kunoichi) tournaments. In addition, all-new Sasuke tournaments will air for the first time in the U.S. on Esquire in 2017.

“Esquire Network is thrilled to be airing the original Ninja Warrior episodes that launched a cultural phenomenon in the United States and [were] a precursor to the mega-hit, American Ninja Warrior and subsequent spin-off Team Ninja Warrior,” said Matt Monos, the senior VP of programming and acquisitions at Esquire Network. “Drawn to the extraordinary strength and talent of these fierce competitors, the series quickly developed a strong fan base when it began on G4. Esquire Network is excited to serve this loyal audience with the high-impact, addictive television they crave.”

“As there have been so many requests to bring Ninja Warrior back in the U.S., we are very happy and excited that Esquire is bringing back Ninja Warrior and Women of Ninja Warrior along with the brand-new episodes based on Sasuke #28 and beyond, which were never broadcast in the U.S.,” said Makito Sugiyama, chief of TBS Global Business.