‘The Challenge: Battle of the Eras’ premiere: How to watch, TV channel, free stream

A monumental new season of “The Challenge” is set to air on MTV on Wednesday, August 14 (8/14/2024) at 8 p.m. ET.

LATEST: How to watch The Challenge 40 Episode 2

STREAM: The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras on Philo (free trial).

In the season 40 premiere of “The Challenge,” a.k.a. “The Challenge: Battle of the Eras,” a new house of Challengers arrive, and will be stunned to find that they will be competing with a stacked cast of players from different eras of the show. The two-part premiere, 40 of the show’s most famous challengers will begin their quest for the $1 million prize.

How can I watch “The Challenge” for free?

Cord cutters can sign up for Philo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) or fuboTV (free trial) to stream “The Challenge” premiere episode live for free.

Cable subscribers can login on MTV.com with their cable credentials to stream the new episode for free.

What channel is “The Challenge” on?

MTV.

Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Xfinity, Spectrum, Optimum/Altice, Cox, DirecTV

Who is on The Challenge Season 40?

Era 1: Seasons 1-10

• Tina Barta
• Katie Cooley
• Aneesa Fereira
• Brad Fiorenza
• Derrick Kosinski
• Mark Long
• Rachel Robinson
• CT Tamburello
• Darrell Taylor
• Jodi Weatherton

Era II: Seasons 11-20

• Derek Chavez
• Nehemiah Clark
• Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio
• KellyAnne Judd
• Ryan Kehoe
• Aviv Melmed
• Brandon Nelson
• Emily Schromm
• Cara Maria Sorbello
• Laurel Stucky 

Era III: Seasons 21-30

• Tori Deal
• Amanda Garcia
• Leroy Garrett
• Jonna Mannion
• Nia Moore
• Tony Raines
• Averey Tressler
• Devin Walker
• Cory Wharton
• Jordan Wiseley 

Era IV: Seasons 31-39

• Paulie Calafiore
• Theo Campbell
• Kaycee Clark
• Michele Fitzgerald
• Horacio Gutiérrez Jr.
• Olivia Kaiser
• Josh Martinez
• Nurys Mateo
• Jenny West
• Kyland Young 

What happened last season on “The Challenge”?

Fans can watch all 22 episodes of “The Challenge: Battle for a New Champion,” Season 39, on Philo.

In a season that promised a new champion, was anyone actually happy with the final winner? After canoodling his way across the house, but keeping himself mostly off camera, Emanuel was the first to cross the finish line in TJ’s final. While it seems like nearly everyone in the house liked Emanuel, many fans believed that Nurys Mateo deserved the win far more.

Nurys faced the shocking betrayal by her supposed best friend, Olivia, found love with Horacio Gutierrez and was even forced to pit herself against Horacio and ally Kyland Young — and win — in order to secure her second-place finish. That she deserved the win was a sentiment that Nurys, and many of the veteran mercenary players, echoed in the reunion show.

While 39 was technically the last season of “The Challenge” proper, fans have already gotten a tease of what’s to come in Season 40, thanks to “The Challenge: All-Stars” Season 4, which aired between 39 and 40 on Paramount+. In All-Stars 4, a cast of memorable vets, including Laurel Stucky and Cara Maria Sobello, put it all on the line, found love, built relationships and watched them crumble. Ultimately, Laurel came out on top, thanks to her strong play, friendship building and one incredibly stupid mistake by Steve Meinke. Steve finished third behind Laurel and Cara Maria in second.

What is “The Challenge: Battle of the Eras” about?

According to MTV, “The Challenge is a reality competition battle across a series of contests for the chance to win money. Contestants endure brutal challenges, devastating elimination rounds, steamy hookups and bitter rivalries.”

But “The Challenge” Season 40 is about so much more than that. It’s a giant love letter to more than three decades of MTV’s “Real World,” “Road Rules” and, of course, “The Challenge,” that brings together the biggest icons from the show’s many eras for one titanic clash.

What are the differences between the streaming services?

Philo is a live TV streaming service focused on entertainment channels like MTV, Paramount Network, Discovery and more. It offers 70+ channels for the budget-friendly price of $28 per month. It has unlimited DVR, and can be streamed on all your favorite app-enabled devices. Right now, you can try Philo free for 7 days.

FuboTV is a live TV streaming service focused on live sports, including U.S. and international soccer, the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and more. It also includes its own fubo Sports Networks with exclusive programming. It offers 190 channels starting at $79.99, includes unlimited DVR, and streams on most devices. Right now you can try fuboTV free for 7 days.

DirecTV Stream is comparable to FuboTV, as it provides similar channels and functionalities. Their basic package, priced at $79.99 per month with a free trial, includes just over 90 live TV channels. You can explore all of DirecTV Stream’s channel packages on their website. Right now, new subscribers can get DTV Stream for $49.99 for three months for a limited time.

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