‘The Summit’ Reality TV Show: A Grueling Mountain Climb for $1 Million

In the latest addition to the reality TV landscape, The Summit challenges a group of strangers to embark on a perilous 14-day trek through the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The show, which premiered on Sunday, September 29, 2024, on CBS, pits 16 contestants against each other and the harsh mountain terrain in a bid to win a $1 million cash prize.

Each contestant carries a portion of the $1 million prize, distributed evenly among them, and they must work together to reach the summit within the given timeframe. However, the journey is fraught with obstacles, eliminations, and twists introduced by the enigmatic Mountain's Keeper, who oversees the contestants' progress and forces them to make tough decisions along the way.

The Challenge and Format

The contestants face numerous physical and mental challenges as they navigate through the treacherous terrain. The group must reach several checkpoint camps, where they vote out one of their own, reducing the prize money each time a contestant is eliminated. If the group fails to reach the summit within 14 days, they will all go home empty-handed.

Hosted by Manu Bennett, The Summit blends elements of shows like The Amazing Race and Survivor , adding its own unique twists. Bennett introduces the contestants to the harsh realities of their task and the role of the Mountain's Keeper, who occasionally instructs the group to eliminate a member to advance.

Behind-the-Scenes and Safety

Behind the scenes, the show's production team ensures rigorous safety procedures are in place to protect the contestants. Host Manu Bennett has revealed that safety is a top priority, with extensive planning and precautions taken to mitigate the risks associated with the challenging environment.

The contestants themselves must be in peak physical shape to face the demands of the mountain. The show requires a high level of endurance, strength, and mental resilience, making it one of the most physically demanding reality TV competitions to date.

Streaming and Availability

The Summit is available to stream on Paramount+, both live and on-demand for subscribers. The show will air on Sundays initially and then move to its regular time slot on Wednesdays starting October 9, 2024.