In March 2025, CBS launched a major wave of cancellations, cutting shows like S.W.A.T. and the FBI spinoffs FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. However, the network’s purge didn’t stop there. The following month, CBS confirmed the cancellations of series like Poppa’s House and The Summit. Since then, it has been a pretty tense and uncertain period for fans and creators alike. But we're finally seeing somewhat of a light at the end of the tunnel. A CBS show that many had thought to be quietly canceled has, against expectations, survived, though its future remains unclear.
That series is Tough as Nails, a reality competition television show that puts everyday hardworking Americans to the test through physically and mentally demanding challenges that take place at real-world job sites. Phil Keoghan, who is best known as the host of The Amazing Race, also hosts this show. The season’s top contestant takes home a grand prize of $200,000 along with a Ford Super Duty truck.
After wrapping up its most recent installment in July 2023, there was a period of radio silence regarding a potential sixth season. No official word of cancellation was given, but there wasn’t any confirmation of a renewal either, leaving fans in limbo.
Back in May 2024, Keoghan shared via his official X account that the series wasn't canceled but was instead "on hold" and that things were "all good" when it came to the show’s status. Of course, this gave fans hope that they'd one day get to see a Tough as Nails season 6. However, as time passed with no official updates from CBS, that hope began to fade. Fans were left wondering if the show would ever return or if it had quietly been shelved indefinitely. Well, it looks like the reality series may still have a fighting chance.
TVLine’s CCO Matt Webb Mitovich recently shared some insider information about the fate of Tough as Nails. Like many fans, Mitovich initially believed the show had been canceled but was informed by sources that there are simply no new updates at the moment.
"I assumed it was 100% dunzo, but instead I am told there are “no updates at this time” on the Phil Keoghan-hosted reality competition, which last aired almost two years ago."
This can be seen as both good and bad news. On the bright side, the show hasn’t been officially given the boot, leaving the door open for a possible return. On the downside, the lack of any concrete news means fans will have to continue waiting and hoping without a clear indication of when, or if, a new season will be announced. We've already been playing the waiting game since 2023. It's just so much waiting a person can take before the uncertainty starts to wear on you. Hopefully, CBS will soon provide some clarity about the show’s future. But until then, Tough as Nails remains in limbo.
You can stream all five seasons of Tough as Nails on Paramount+ with a subscription.