Naked & Afraid spin-off among seven new commissions at Discovery Channel

Naked & Afraid is set for a spin-off that will debut in May

US cable network Discovery Channel has commissioned seven new series, including spin-offs from Naked & Afraid and In the Eye of the Storm.

Naked & Afraid: Global Showdown, produced by Lionsgate Alternative Television, follows survivalists from across the world as they compete for the franchise’s largest ever cash prize. Arrow Media-produced In the Eye of the Storm: Chasers follows teams of real-world storm chasers and certified weather spotters as they venture into America’s ‘tornado alley.’

Both series will premiere on May 17 as part of Discovery Channel’s 2026 unscripted slate. This kicked off on January 19 with the launch of 120 Hours Behind Bars (Lucky 8 TV), which spends days inside some of the toughest jails in the US.

Other new shows set to debut later in the year include Conspiracies & Coverups (Texas Crew Productions, New York Post Entertainment), which follows a former covert CIA agent exposing truths behind some of today’s biggest conspiracy theories; and Jeff Dunham’s The Cars That Drove Us (The Nacelle Company, Red Wire/Blue Wire), about the collector and stand-up comedian’s 130-car collection. Those shows will premiere on April 1 and March 31, respectively.

Elsewhere, the Warner Bros Discovery-owned cablenet ordered Escape from Alcatraz (Leepson Bounds Entertainment, Kontent Farm, Strong Island Films), which purports to uncover new evidence about the infamous 1962 prison escape, and How to Catch a Dirtbag (Jupiter Entertainment), about influencer Michael McWhorter (Tizzy Ent), who uses the internet to identify those who think they can do horrible things in public and get away with it.

“Each of these new series reflects bold and original storytelling, anchored on larger-than-life characters and a deep sense of curiosity,” said Joseph Boyle, head of content at Discovery Channel.

“Our goal is to deliver a broad slate of stories that transport viewers and feel authentically Discovery.”