Paramount+ Announces Expansive New Reality Slate to Accelerate Growth and Expand Internationally, Including the First-Ever Globally Connected Reality Competition Series, “The Challenge: War of the Worlds” [VIDEO]

Paramount+ today announced a new lineup of unscripted series and renewals from MTV Entertainment Studios, spanning industry-defining franchises like RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, THE REAL WORLD, THE CHALLENGE, INK MASTER and THE SHORES. The announcement was made by Chris McCarthy, chief content officer, unscripted entertainment and adult animation for Paramount+, during the ViacomCBS Investors Event.

“MTV created reality TV with the launch of THE REAL WORLD in 1992. Building on that success, we’ve seen a huge demand on Paramount+ for more reality content,” said McCarthy. “As the global expansion of the streaming service continues to accelerate, we’re doubling down on our hit unscripted franchises, which have been a key driver in fueling the service’s growth.”

During the event, McCarthy announced the following series have been renewed for Paramount+:

Paramount+ Renewals:

· RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE ALL STARS – The best of the best from the Emmy(R) Award-winning RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE return for a seventh season to compete for $100,000 and a coveted spot in the Drag Race Hall of Fame. In each episode, legendary queens will battle it out until only one drag queen is crowned the winner.

· QUEEN OF THE UNIVERSE – In a singing competition like no other, the world’s fiercest drag queens perform for a live audience, as they vie for the title “Queen of the Universe” and a cash prize of $250,000. High heels, high octaves, high stakes – the second season of this global singing competition from Emmy(R) Award-winning production company World of Wonder will blow your wig off!

· THE REAL WORLD HOMECOMING: NEW ORLEANS – The third installment of the hit original unscripted series, THE REAL WORLD HOMECOMING will reunite original New Orleans cast members David “Tokyo” Broom, Melissa Howard, Jamie Murray, Danny Roberts, Matt Smith, Julie Stoffer and Kelley Wolf in “The Big Easy.” The roommates are moving back in for a dramatic, nostalgic, heartfelt reunion where they’ll get a second chance to stop being polite and start getting real. Premiere date to be announced. In addition, the original season of “The Real World: New Orleans” will be available to stream on Paramount+ beginning in April.

· THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS – One of the world’s biggest competition reality shows returns for a third season on May 11. Featuring an unprecedented lineup of 24 of the most iconic, boldest and fiercest challengers, THE CHALLENGE: ALL STARS will test physical and emotional boundaries to prove who is the best of the best.

New Paramount+ Series Orders:

· THE CHALLENGE: WAR OF THE WORLDS – Winners from four new “Challenge” series (THE CHALLENGE: CBS (working title), THE CHALLENGE: ARGENTINA, THE CHALLENGE: AUSTRALIA, and THE CHALLENGE: U.K.) will advance to the global tournament, THE CHALLENGE: WAR OF THE WORLDS, and battle for the first-ever title as the “Challenge” World Champion.

· INK MASTER – The hit tattoo competition makes its premiere on Paramount+ in markets around the world with all-new episodes later this year. Featuring some of the world’s top tattoo artists battling it out in permanent ink for $250,000 and the prized title of “Ink Master,” the competitors will test their technical skills and on-the-spot creativity in challenges unlike ever before.

· ALL STAR SHORE – A competition docu-series that will feature 14 of reality TV’s most iconic stars from around the world and television’s biggest series – including JERSEY SHORE FAMILY VACATION, LOVE IS BLIND, RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, GEORDIE SHORE, ACAPULCO SHORE, BACHELOR IN PARADISE and more – as they come together for an epic vacation at the ultimate “Shore” house in Gran Canaria, Spain, to battle it out for the grand prize and global bragging rights.

International Renewals:

Internationally, global hit series ACAPULCO SHORE and RIO SHORE launched on Paramount+ in Mexico and Brazil, and they quickly became the #1 series in those markets. Both series have been renewed for their respective markets:

· ACAPULCO SHORE – MTV Latin America’s most successful reality show follows a group of 20-somethings who spend the vacations of their lives in Acapulco and the hottest Latin beach destinations. Their stay is filled with love stories, wild parties, drunken nights and heated arguments.

· RIO SHORE – The series follows the lives of 10 housemates at a vacation home in Río de Janeiro, Brazil. The format gives fans everything they love – friendship, drama, over-the-top arguments, undefined love triangles and outrageous antics in one of the hottest beach destinations in the world.

· GEORDIE SHORE: RETURN OF THE OGs – The U.K. reality juggernaut returns for its biggest and most dramatic season ever, as the most memorable cast members come back to the toon for the mother of all reunions. Expect plenty of nostalgia, friendships rekindled and old scores settled, as the dysfunctional Geordie family open their doors to their lives again.

· Additionally, seven new iterations from the “Shore” franchise will launch on Paramount+ in territories around the globe, including ARGENTINA SHORE, COLOMBIA SHORE and AUSTRALIA SHORE, with cities to be announced.

Along with the series above for Paramount+, McCarthy also noted the expansion of MTV Entertainment Studios’ “The Challenge” franchise with new series launching across broadcast and cable channels. The following linear series will also be available to stream on demand on Paramount+ in their respective markets, where Paramount+ is available:

· THE CHALLENGE: CBS {working title} (CBS Television Network) – For the first time in “Challenge” history, reality titans from the CBS universe will compete in the most unpredictable and demanding game of their lives. With an ever-changing game, players will be in a constant state of paranoia and unable to trust anyone but themselves. The CBS all-stars will compete on THE CHALLENGE: CBS this summer on the CBS Television Network for a chance to join the upcoming global “War of the Worlds” championship.

· THE CHALLENGE: ARGENTINA (Telefe) – “The Challenge” takes over Argentina for the first time, as fan favorites compete for a chance to win the upcoming global “War of the Worlds” championship, testing their physical and mental limits to vie for their shot at the monetary prize.

· THE CHALLENGE: AUSTRALIA (Network 10) – “The Challenge” takes over Australia for the first time, as fan favorites compete for a chance to win the upcoming global “War of the Worlds” championship, testing their physical and mental limits to vie for their shot at the monetary prize.

· THE CHALLENGE: U.K. (Channel 5) – “The Challenge” takes over the U.K. for the first time, as fan favorites compete for a chance to win the upcoming global “War of the Worlds” championship, testing their physical and mental limits to vie for their shot at the monetary prize.