When it comes to reality competitive series, MTV's The Challenge certainly takes the cake! The series first came to prominence back in 1998 and has been running successfully for a whopping 35 seasons, and can now be streamed on Paramount+. The show was originally titled, Road Rules: All-Stars, and later changed to Real World/Road Rules Challenge, as it was a spin-off of both those two MTV reality programs. The show features former cast members from the two shows who compete against one another in various extreme challenges, all while trying to avoid elimination
The series has become a massive hit and fans don't just tune in for the gruesome tasks, but for some of the biggest, The Challenge fights, too! The show has since expanded to recruiting from other MTV shows, including a few international ones such as Geordie Shore, and Ex On The Beach, which has ultimately led to the creation of some of the best alliances on the show. Considering the contestants remain on the show for weeks and weeks, just how much do they get paid to compete against one another?
How Much Do Contestants Make On 'The Challenge'?
MTV knows what it is doing when it comes to reality programming! The show is known for its hit shows such as Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, The Hills, Catfish, and Siesta Key, to name a few, proving the network is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the television genre. Well, one show that certainly tops the list is none other than The Challenge! The series first began over 23 years ago and was created as a spin-off of both the Real World and Road Rules, two other MTV shows that have gone on to join the ranks of some of the most successful reality shows of all time.
While producers would normally recruit former cast members from those two shows and those two shows only, they have since expanded their casting by bringing on board castmates from other MTV shows both within the United States and internationally. The Challenge has had a number of themed seasons, including the War Of The Worlds, which has members from all across the globe competing together. Considering contestants spend on average six to eight weeks on location prior to the finals, fans are curious as to how much they make!
According to Cheat Sheet, contestants on The Challenge not only get paid but get paid quite well, too! Certain players can make upward of $80,000 for the season, however, this is usually reserved for veteran MTV stars who have been with the network for quite some time! More popular talent makes on average $3,000 to $5,000 per week that they manage to remain on the show. While this is great money for MTV alumni, the salary for network rookie isn't so hot.
The Challenge newbies, who are normally appearing on the show for the very first time with no former MTV exposure, make about $1,000 per week they survive, which is still a decent take away if they last long enough.