Viacom Claims Zeus Network’s New Show ‘Bad Vs. Wild’ Copies MTV’s ‘Wild ‘N Out’

Paramount Global’s Viacom has filed a lawsuit against Zeus Network, alleging that Zeus’s new game show “Bad vs. Wild,” hosted by Nick Cannon, is a copycat version of its long-standing MTV series “Wild ‘N Out,” also hosted by Cannon.

According to reports, “Bad vs. Wild” features a similar structure where cast members from Zeus’s other shows and special guests split into teams to compete in various games, a format strikingly reminiscent of “Wild ‘N Out.” The show concludes with a performance by a well-known artist, mirroring the MTV show’s format.

The complaint highlights that “Bad vs. Wild” not only replicates the structure and style of “Wild ‘N Out” but also its stage design and even its logo, which allegedly copies the “look, typeface, and arrangement” of the original.

Viacom’s attorneys have accused Zeus of “stealing the fruits of Viacom’s goodwill and decades of labor and innovation,” and presenting it as their own creation for financial benefit.

The lawsuit argues that this infringement not only damages Viacom’s intellectual property but also harms its brand identity by associating it with content that glorifies violence and perpetuates negative stereotypes.

Furthermore, Viacom has pointed out that under Cannon’s contract for “Wild ‘N Out,” he is prohibited from engaging in activities that could harm his public image or reuse any characters or materials from “Wild ‘N Out” in other projects.

By hosting and producing “Bad vs. Wild,” Cannon is accused of breaching this contract. However, instead of suing Cannon directly, Viacom has targeted Zeus for intentionally interfering with this contract.

As of now, neither Zeus Network nor Nick Cannon have publicly responded to the allegations made in the lawsuit.