# The Challenge: Cutthroat
**The Challenge: Cutthroat** is the 42nd season of the American reality-competition series *The Challenge*, and the first season of the long-running MTV franchise to launch as a [Paramount+](https://www.edgepedia.org/paramount) original. It premiered on August 5, 2026, and new episodes were released weekly on Wednesdays through the season finale.[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) • [2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/the-challenge-season-42-cutthroat-paramount-plus-premiere/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Season / title | Season 42 of *The Challenge*, subtitled *Cutthroat*; TheWrap referred to it as "Cutthroat II"[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) • [2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/the-challenge-season-42-cutthroat-paramount-plus-premiere/) |
| Premiere | August 5, 2026, exclusively on Paramount+; new episodes weekly on Wednesdays[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) |
| Location | Thailand[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) |
| Cast | 24 competitors divided into three permanent teams of eight[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) • [3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/) |
| Prize | $500,000, shared by the winning team[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) |
| Host / producers | TJ Lavin (host); executive producers Julie Pizzi, Justin Booth, and Jacob Lane[3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/) • [1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) |
| Franchise milestone | First season branded a Paramount+ original after nearly 30 years on MTV[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) • [4](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/paramount-plus/new-on-paramount-in-august-2026-all-the-new-shows-and-movies-to-watch) |
## Premise and format
The season revives the Cutthroat format, in which the 24 Challengers are split into three teams whose only chance at winning the $500,000 prize is crossing the finish line together at the final.[5](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-challenge/season-42) Host TJ Lavin described the three teams of eight as locked in for the whole season, with no team-swapping, setting up a conventional team-based season of the show.[3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/)
Most episodes follow the franchise's base structure of a team-based daily challenge, a nomination process, and an elimination round, designated as either a men's or women's round. When a team wins the daily challenge, the entire group is safe from elimination, and its captains decide the elimination match-up.[3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/)
## Cast
The 24 competitors come from a wide range of reality programs: *Survivor*, *Big Brother*, *Too Hot to Handle*, *Cheer*, *Love Island USA*, *Married at First Sight UK*, *[Deal or No Deal Island](https://www.edgepedia.org/deal-or-no-deal-island)*, and *The Amazing Race*, alongside franchise mainstays from *The Real World*, *Fresh Meat*, and *Are You the One?*.[2](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/the-challenge-season-42-cutthroat-paramount-plus-premiere/) Headliners named in advance included Survivor alums Chris Underwood, Michele Fitzgerald, Cassidy Clark, and Sydney Segal, plus *Challenge* veterans Chris "CT" Tamburello and John "Johnny Bananas" DeVenanzio.[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) The premiere also featured long-time competitors Cara Maria Sorbello, Brad Fiorenza, and Tori Deal.[3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/)
## Release and promotion
Paramount+ announced the premiere date, official trailer, and first-look images on July 15, 2026.[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/the-challenge/releases) Two weeks later, on July 28, 2026, the official *Challenge* Instagram and YouTube accounts removed the trailer from both platforms without explanation, prompting speculation among fans about a schedule change or a forthcoming "super trailer."[7](https://stopbeingpolite.com/2026/07/28/what-is-going-on-with-cutthroat-promo/)
**Cancellation rumors.** The trailer removal fed a rumor that Season 42 had been canceled. Cast member Cory Wharton dispelled it on social media on July 29, writing that "The Challenge is still coming out August 5th."[8](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/after-the-challenge-42-cancellation-rumors-cory-wharton-big-update) In October 2026, Wharton himself raised a different question, alleging in a video that the 42nd season might be the show's last.[9](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/the-challenge-fans-cory-wharton-react-alleged-cancellation)
## Relationship to the 2010 season
The title reuses the name of the 2010 season, *Cutthroat* (season 20), which was filmed in Prague, Czech Republic, and introduced the franchise's first three-team format.[10](https://thechallengemtv.fandom.com/wiki/Cutthroat) The 2010 season split its cast into Red, Blue, and Grey teams, sent losing teams' members to an elimination called the "Gulag" decided by secret votes, and played for a share of $120,000.[10](https://thechallengemtv.fandom.com/wiki/Cutthroat) Season 42 scales that structure up: three teams of eight competing for $500,000 in Thailand.[3](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/) • [5](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-challenge/season-42)
## Franchise context
*The Challenge* debuted on MTV in 1998 as a spinoff of *The Real World* and *Road Rules*, and by 2026 had reached 42 seasons.[11](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/where-to-watch-the-challenge-franchise/) Season 42 marks a change of home: the 2026 season streams exclusively on Paramount+ rather than airing on a cable channel, and it is branded a Paramount+ original series.[12](https://www.syracuse.com/tv/2026/08/yes-you-can-watch-the-challenge-cutthroat-for-free-on-paramount-but-theres-a-catch.html?outputType=amp) • [1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/) Tom's Guide described the move as the franchise's first departure from MTV in nearly 30 years.[4](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/paramount-plus/new-on-paramount-in-august-2026-all-the-new-shows-and-movies-to-watch) Select past seasons remain on the service, with seasons 10 through 41 of the MTV era available on demand.[1](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/)
## References
1. [The Challenge Season 42: Everything You Need To Know, Paramount+ Sneak Peak](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/the-challenge-cutthroat-seson-42-everything-you-need-to-know/)
2. ['The Challenge' Moves to Paramount+ for Season 42, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/creative-content/tv-shows/the-challenge-season-42-cutthroat-paramount-plus-premiere/)
3. [The Challenge: Cutthroat Premiere Recap: Who Was Eliminated First?, TVLine](https://www.tvline.com/2230846/the-challenge-cutthroat-premiere-recap-cedric-eliminated-paramount-plus/)
4. [New on Paramount+ in August 2026, Tom's Guide](https://www.tomsguide.com/entertainment/paramount-plus/new-on-paramount-in-august-2026-all-the-new-shows-and-movies-to-watch)
5. [Real World/Road Rules Challenge Season 42, JustWatch](https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-challenge/season-42)
6. [Paramount Press Express: Paramount+ The Challenge Releases](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/paramount-plus/shows/the-challenge/releases)
7. [What Is Going On With Cutthroat Promo?, Stop Being Polite](https://stopbeingpolite.com/2026/07/28/what-is-going-on-with-cutthroat-promo/)
8. [After The Challenge 42 Cancellation Rumors, Cory Wharton Dropped A Big Update, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/after-the-challenge-42-cancellation-rumors-cory-wharton-big-update)
9. [Wait, Is The Challenge About To Be Canceled?, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/the-challenge-fans-cory-wharton-react-alleged-cancellation)
10. [Cutthroat, The Challenge Wiki (Fandom)](https://thechallengemtv.fandom.com/wiki/Cutthroat)
11. [Where To Watch The Challenge, Paramount+ Sneak Peak](https://www.paramountplus.com/sneak-peak/where-to-watch-the-challenge-franchise/)
12. ['The Challenge: Cutthroat' premieres tonight, syracuse.com](https://www.syracuse.com/tv/2026/08/yes-you-can-watch-the-challenge-cutthroat-for-free-on-paramount-but-theres-a-catch.html?outputType=amp)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Seasons, episodes, and installments › Screen seasons › Culinary, physical, and other skill competition seasons › Racing and adventure competition seasons › The Challenge seasons*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license