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Channel 10 has officially cancelled I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here after a 12-year run in Australia. The network announced on May 22, 2026, that the jungle reality format will not return in 2027, marking the end of one of Australia’s longest-running celebrity competition series. Though the show is being “rested” rather than permanently axed, the cancellation concludes more than a decade of celebrity survival challenges, exotic trials, and dramatic jungle dynamics that defined primetime television in the Southern Hemisphere.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Channel 10 cancelled the show on May 22, 2026
- The series ran for 12 consecutive seasons (2014–2026)
- Season 12 finale aired in February 2026, with Adam Thomas crowned winner
- Hosts Robert Irwin and Julia Morris will remain with the network despite the cancellation
- ITV Studios can now pitch the format to rival networks after the exclusivity agreement expired in April 2026
The Decline of an Australian Television Institution
I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here launched in 2014 as Australia’s adaptation of the British ITV format, hosted by Julia Morris and Anthony Callea initially. The show became a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of viewers each season as celebrities from music, sports, entertainment, and media faced off in jungle trials. The format was wildly successful across multiple international markets, with versions running in the United Kingdom, United States, Spain, and numerous other territories.
In Australia specifically, the show achieved high ratings during its initial seasons, regularly commanding viewing figures of over 1 million Australian viewers per episode during peak seasons. The live voting mechanism created genuine stakes and audience engagement, with viewers directly influencing eliminations through SMS and app-based voting. This interactive component became crucial to the show’s appeal—viewers weren’t passive spectators but active participants in determining outcomes.
Channel 10 cancels I’m A Celebrity in Australia, ending decade-long jungle reality series
Los Angeles Bright Eyes concert tonight at Hollywood Bowl with The Moldy Peaches
What Led to the Cancellation Decision?
Network 10 cited no single reason for the cancellation, instead describing the decision as part of strategic programming changes. However, industry analysis suggests several contributing factors. The 2026 season (Season 12) experienced significant viewer decline compared to previous years, with the pre-recorded format—a departure from previous live elements—potentially alienating audiences accustomed to real-time gameplay and viewer interaction.
The production shift to pre-recording meant that three different endings were filmed, with the audience voting to determine which conclusion aired. While designed to create surprise, this structural change fundamentally altered the show’s spontaneity and viewer engagement patterns. Viewership numbers reportedly dropped during the season, a troubling signal for a network primary depending on strong ratings to justify production budgets of $3–5 million AUD per season.
Additionally, the broader television landscape has fragmented significantly. Streaming services now compete directly with traditional broadcasters for celebrity content and audience attention. The Amazing Race Australia, another landmark Channel 10 reality program, was also cancelled earlier in 2026, highlighting the network’s broader restructuring of its reality portfolio.
Season 12’s Conclusion and Cast Legacy
The final season aired from January 18 through February 22, 2026, featuring 14 celebrities competing in the Australian jungle. Adam Thomas, the British actor and former Coronation Street star, was crowned the ultimate winner, defeating two other finalists in a tightly contested race to become “Jungle Legend 2026.” The season delivered strong moments of drama, camaraderie, and entertainment despite the production model changes.
Hosts Robert Irwin (son of the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin) and Julia Morris anchored the season with their characteristic chemistry and on-ground presentation style. Notably, Channel 10 confirmed that both presenters will continue working with the network, even as the I’m A Celebrity format takes a hiatus. This distinction—that the show is being “rested” rather than permanently cancelled—leaves the door open for potential revival in future years.
Key Timeline and Industry Context
| Event | Date |
| I’m A Celebrity AU premieres (Season 1) | 2014 |
| Season 12 filming completed | December 2025 |
| Season 12 premiere on Channel 10 | January 18, 2026 |
| Grand finale airs | February 22, 2026 |
| ITV Studios exclusivity period expires | April 2026 |
| Network 10 publicly confirms cancellation | May 22, 2026 |
The timing of the announcement—three months after the finale aired—suggests Channel 10 took time to assess ratings performance and viewer sentiment before making the official call. The expiration of ITV Studios’ exclusivity agreement in April 2026 means the production company can now pitch the format to competing networks, potentially opening doors for rival broadcasters like Seven Network or Nine Network to revive the franchise under their banners.
“We have made the decision to rest I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2027 as we continue to evolve our programming strategy. The format has been a significant part of our schedule for 12 years, and we’re proud of what we’ve achieved with our audiences and partners.”
— Network 10 Spokesperson, Official Statement, May 22, 2026
What This Means for Australian Reality Television
The cancellation of I’m A Celebrity reflects broader industry pressures facing traditional broadcast television in 2026. Mass reality show cancellations are occurring globally—over nine reality series were cancelled in the first five months of 2026 alone across multiple networks. This trend signals a fundamental shift in how networks allocate programming budgets amid competition from streaming platforms and changing viewer habits.
For Australian audiences accustomed to a decade-plus tradition of jungle-based entertainment, the cancellation marks the end of an era. I’m A Celebrity served as a cultural touchstone—a show where Australians could watch international and local celebrities stripped of their usual personas, facing genuine physical and mental challenges. The format’s success overseas (particularly the enduring UK version) demonstrated the universal appeal of the survival competition concept.
Will the Show Ever Return?
Network 10’s choice of language—”resting” rather than “cancelling”—is significant. In television industry terms, this distinction suggests the network retains the option to revive the format in future seasons if circumstances change (ratings recovery, new production models, competitive positioning shifts). However, with the exclusivity agreement now expired, other Australian networks could now bid to acquire rights to the format independently.
The next 12–24 months will reveal whether I’m A Celebrity truly returns or whether this rest becomes permanent retirement. For now, fans of the show can revisit all 12 seasons on Paramount+ Australia (Channel 10’s streaming partner), where complete episode libraries remain available on-demand.
Sources
- News.com.au – Official Channel 10 cancellation announcement, May 22, 2026
- Variety Australia – Network 10 statement and industry analysis, May 22, 2026
- Sky News Australia – Confirmation and context on hosts’ future roles, May 22, 2026
- Wikipedia – I’m A Celebrity Australian series history and Season 12 details
- Yahoo Entertainment – Broader reality TV cancellation trends reporting
- Mirror UK – Historical ratings data and viewership trends
