ITV has reportedly axed reality programme The Summit after just one series, despite featuring This Morning star Ben Shephard as host. The show followed a group of participants who joined forces to tackle the formidable challenge of scaling a mountain in New Zealand's Southern Alps.
Show Format and Cancellation
With 14 days to reach the summit and an equal share of the prize fund in their rucksacks, participants confronted perilous landscapes, harsh conditions, and exceptional challenges determined by the enigmatic Mountain's Keeper. However, the programme will not return for a second series.
A source told The Sun: "Competition is fierce out there right now, and even shows with big budgets and big-name presenters are not a guarantee of success. And unless they make an impact, quite quickly execs have to weigh up whether the cost of making these shows is worth the ratings, and therefore the advertising revenues, to make it worthwhile."
Industry Context
The source added: "Everyone is looking for 'The Next Big Show'. Unfortunately, The Summit wasn't it, even though commentators remarked on the fact it did seem to try to tap into some of the energy of The Traitors." The Express understands that there are no current plans for a new series.
The programme was shot in the Southern Alps in New Zealand, a location Ben Shephard was thrilled to revisit after first travelling there at age 19. He told Radio Times and other media at the time: "So to go back in this extraordinary backdrop and to film a show that's all about adventure and challenges, and these 14 remarkable people, just ordinary people facing this extraordinary challenge. It was an absolute thrill. Every step of the way was jaw-dropping, not least for the contestants or the contributors, but for the backdrop, for the challenges, for the drama and the way that Matt and Andy [and] the team had put this show together."
Other ITV Cancellations
The cancellation follows that of another show with an A-list host earlier this year. ITV are reportedly not renewing game show Jeopardy! with Stephen Fry at the helm. The show's first series consisted of 20 episodes, and season two, launched in March 2025, got an extended run with 25 episodes. However, there will seemingly be no season three for the daytime show, which had aired every weekday at 4pm on the channel. According to TVZone, ITV has axed the programme after two series with no plans to bring it back, and no reason was given for the decision.
