Fox Commissions ‘Baywatch’ Revival
Fremantle will produce the first season of the revival of the iconic lifeguard series.
Fox Television Network in the U.S. has commissioned Fremantle to revive “Baywatch,” the iconic lifeguard drama set in Malibu that ended 25 years ago after 11 seasons. Fox has initially commissioned a first season of 12 episodes, scheduled to air in the 2026/27 season. The series will be co-produced by Fremantle and Fox Entertainment, with Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Dante Di Loreto, Doug Schwartz, and Matt Nix—who also serves as showrunner—on board as executive producers.
“In its first run, ‘Baywatch’ defined an entire era of beach life and elevated lifeguards to iconic status. Now, with our partners at Fremantle, this television juggernaut is set for a modern-day comeback,” said Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network. “Together, Fox and Fremantle, along with Matt Nix and original co-creator Greg Bonann, will bring the California dream to a whole new generation of fans—with fresh stories, rising stars, and all the spectacle that made the ‘Baywatch’ franchise a global sensation.”
“‘Baywatch’ has always been a treasured part of Fremantle’s portfolio and remains one of the most iconic series in global television history,” added Christian Vesper, CEO Global Drama at Fremantle. “With Fox we have the perfect partner to continue this legacy, and with Matt Nix at the helm we are in great hands. Our goal is to reconnect with longtime fans while also introducing a new generation to this world-famous lifeguard universe.”
First launched in 1989, “Baywatch” went on to become the most-watched show in the world, airing in more than 200 countries and, at its peak, drawing more than one billion viewers weekly. The original series, starring David Hasselhoff, propelled actors such as Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, Jason Momoa, and Yasmine Bleeth to international stardom. According to Fremantle, fans of the revival can look forward to all the adrenaline-fueled rescues, tangled relationships, and beachside heroics that defined the original—now with a brand-new cast, contemporary settings, and fresh challenges.
