You may have noticed something strange happening in your Sunday night or mid-week lineup: two reality series you probably heard about — perhaps even looked forward to — are now gone. Yes, CBS has quietly cancelled two of its reality shows, with barely any fanfare or press release. Why did they vanish? What does this mean for the network, the genre, and viewers like you and me? Let’s dive in.
What exactly happened?
The two shows in question
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The first is The Summit, a high-stakes adventure competition series on CBS that premiered in September 2024 and was cancelled in April 2025 after only one season.
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The second is a little less talked about: the cancellation of two spin-offs of the reality franchise Celebrity Big Brother and Big Brother Reindeer Games (holiday themed) — both removed from the upcoming CBS schedule for 2025–26.
Why “quietly”?
There were no big announcements, no major press tours, and certainly no major buildup to the cancellations. They simply disappeared from the schedule. That kind of silence can trigger speculation and concern for fans.
What drove the decision?
Ratings and audience fatigue
For The Summit:
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The series, despite a dramatic concept, averaged only about 2.6 million viewers in its first season.
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Reviewers criticized aspects of the show: for example, Vulture called it “guilty of the exact flattening of a perilous experience”.
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It faced competition and simply didn’t draw enough of a stable viewership to justify further seasons.
For the Big Brother spin-offs:
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The Celebrity Big Brother and Reindeer Games versions were missing from the schedule altogether, signalling a strategic retreat.
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Possibly this speaks to cost vs. return: big casts of celebrities can be expensive, and holiday themed specials may not have anchored long-term viewership.
Cost and production complexity
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The Summit was filmed in New Zealand Alps, involving remote logistics and high production cost.
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Remote shoots, travel, safety concerns (mountain terrain) all raise budget and risk. Networks often draw the line when expense outweighs rating benefits.
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For celebrity spin-offs: costs of securing known personalities, plus schedule complexity (holiday special) may make them less attractive long-term.
Network strategy shift
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CBS appears to be refocusing on proven formats and franchises rather than launching brand-new reality experiments.
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Viewers’ habits are shifting: streaming competition, on-demand viewing, and fragmentation make it harder for new shows to find a big live audience.
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A quiet cancellation allows them to pivot without negative headlines — less risk of backlash.
Why did fans care?
Because the shows had promise
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The Summit had a bold idea: 16 strangers trek through New Zealand Alps, face extreme conditions, game-style eliminations and a big prize. It sounded like a fresh twist on survival reality.
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Celebrity Big Brother and Reindeer Games offered familiar formats with celebrity spice and special-event feel.
Because cancellation feels abrupt
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Cancelled “without warning” leaves fans feeling blindsided. One day you’re watching; next season you’re told it’s gone.
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For shows with only one season, there’s minimal closure, minimal build-up, and viewers feel like they were invested for nothing.
Because it signals uncertainty
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Reality TV fans often rely on the “if you liked X, new season will come”. When big networks cancel without clarity, it makes viewers hesitant to invest in new reality show launches.
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It may signal that networks are less willing to take risks, which means less variety in the genre.
Deep dive: The Summit – what went wrong?
Concept vs execution
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The premise was compelling: survive the mountain, win the money, social and physical play combined.
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But reviewers pointed out flaws: the cast had many everyday people untrained for the terrain, the pacing felt rushed, and the host’s gravitas didn’t match the survival drama vibe.
Timeslot & competition
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It followed or attempted to piggy-back off other strong shows, but reality competition viewers might pick the familiar franchise (e.g., Survivor) rather than a new show.
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In a media landscape crowded with unscripted shows, novelty alone isn’t enough — there must be strong hook and strong ratings.
Budget vs return
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Remote location shoots = bigger cost.
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One season only means limited lifetime value, less syndication, fewer spin-offs, fewer streaming deals.
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If the network forecasts that return isn’t sufficient, cancellation is prudent.
Brand trust and risk
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When a network launches a new reality show and cancels it quickly, it risks viewer trust: “Will you cancel the next one I like?”
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That risk can reduce viewer willingness to try new formats.
Deep dive: Celebrity Big Brother & Reindeer Games – the hidden casualty
Holiday and celebrity themed reality shows: special event vs ongoing staple
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Holiday-themed spin-offs often aim to capitalize on seasonal interest but may not build long-term momentum.
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Celebrity editions can drive short-term buzz but cost more and often appeal to a narrower demographic.
Why CBS pulled the plug (for now)
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The producers of Celebrity Big Brother and Reindeer Games confirmed no plans for them returning for the 2025–26 season.
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The decision appears less about viewership and more about scheduling, casting, and resource allocation (“It doesn’t look like it [will return]… just other factors beyond our control.”)
What this means for the Big Brother franchise
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The flagship show Big Brother continues, but spin-off diversification is being scaled back.
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This may reflect a maturing franchise: focusing on core format rather than extension experiments.
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For fans of the spin-offs, this is a disappointment—but it may also free up production resources for stronger core shows.
Broader implications for CBS and reality TV
For CBS
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The cancellations indicate a shift toward cost-efficiency and less risk in launching totally new reality formats.
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CBS will likely prioritize proven IPs, known franchises, and formats with strong streaming and live viewership potential.
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The network may focus on fewer new launches but give them more resources or longer runway.
For the reality TV genre
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Networks are being less forgiving of failure; new shows need fast traction.
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Adventure or remote-location formats may be riskier due to cost and complexity.
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Celebrity editions and seasonal specials may be scaled back if they don’t offer long-term value.
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Viewers may see fewer “wild new” formats and more spin-off or reboot content from known properties.
For viewers like you and me
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If you’re someone who jumps into a new reality series mid-season, you might see it cancelled abruptly.
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If you enjoy “new idea” shows rather than long-running franchises, you might have fewer to choose from—there’s a higher barrier to survival.
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It might pay to wait and see if a new show is renewed before fully investing emotionally.
What could have been done differently?
Stronger pilot, pacing, and ramp-up
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For The Summit, perhaps a longer first season with deeper character arcs would have helped build connection.
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Showrunners might have cast more experienced survival types mixed with regular contestants to balance level.
Better timeslot / promotional strategy
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New formats need strong lead-ins and marketing — a new reality show launching in a crowded night can get lost.
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Maybe aligning with streaming tie-ins, social media campaigns, or interactive elements would help.
Cost control and format tweaks
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Remote location = big cost. Perhaps fewer remote-episodes or hybrid studio-location format could reduce budget risk.
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Celebrity editions could be shortened or made into event-series rather than full seasons to reduce cost and schedule risk.
What does this mean for fandom and culture?
Fans will question network commitment
When shows you like are cancelled quietly, you begin to wonder: does the network care about this genre? Will they support the shows they launch? Will I derive emotional investment only to have an abrupt end?
Shift in how we judge “success”
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It’s no longer enough to have novelty or even decent ratings; sustainable viewership, cost structure, streaming potential matter.
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Appreciation for long-running formats may rise; viewers might prefer tuning into tried-and-true shows rather than risking new ones.
Opportunity for streaming / alternate platforms
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When broadcast networks pull back on riskier reality formats, streaming platforms may pick up the slack.
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There may be a migration of new reality formats away from linear broadcast and toward digital/streaming first.
What’s next for CBS and reality programming?
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CBS appears to be leaning into core franchises and known IP rather than launching many brand-new, high-risk reality shows.
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Keep an eye on how CBS develops its unscripted slate: less “one-and-done” and more longevity-focused.
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For fans of adventure-reality shows, the cancellation of The Summit is a caution: not every mountain climb makes it to the top.
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For fans of spin-offs and celebrity-editions, the scaling-back of Big Brother’s holiday/celebrity extensions may mean fewer novelty seasons—but perhaps stronger core ones.
Conclusion
In the fast-moving world of television, even bold new reality formats are only one mis-step away from disappearing. CBS’s decision to quietly cancel two shows — The Summit and the Celebrity/holiday Big Brother spin-offs — signals both a strategic pivot and a reality check for viewers and creators alike. It shows that novelty, while exciting, must be anchored by strong ratings, smart cost management, and sustainable momentum. If you’re a fan of reality shows, this is a moment to pause, reflect, and maybe recalibrate expectations: the genre is evolving fast, and the shows that survive will be the ones built to endure.
