Fox’s 2025-26 broadcast schedule may be packed with unscripted revivals like Celebrity Weakest Link and Fear Factor: The Next Chapter, but one name looms larger than most in the reality space: Gordon Ramsay. The chef-turned-TV-tycoon isn’t just holding down the fort with Hell’s Kitchen on Thursday nights. He’s expanding his presence across the network’s primetime lineup with multiple shows, including a new holiday twist on Next Level Chef and another run of Kitchen Nightmares.

Gordon Ramsay remains Fox’s unscripted anchor with multiple primetime shows

Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen returns once again for its 24th season on Fox, anchoring the Thursday 8 PM slot. It’s a position the show has held for years, and one that continues to deliver strong ratings for the network. Paired with Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test at 9 PM, Thursday nights are shaping up to be Fox’s most stable primetime block — and it’s largely thanks to Ramsay’s continued draw.

But Fox isn’t stopping there. This fall, Next Level Chef — another Fox hit from Ramsay — will get a special holiday-themed offshoot titled Next Level Baker. The limited event series, airing during the holiday season, promises to inject festive energy into the network’s culinary competition lineup. It’s a smart move from Fox, which is leveraging Ramsay’s brand to keep viewers engaged across different times of the year.

Meanwhile, Kitchen Nightmares is making a comeback in prime time, with Ramsay once again stepping into failing restaurants to turn chaos into cash flow. The return of this fan-favorite format, alongside Hell’s Kitchen and Next Level Chef, cements Ramsay’s role not just as a host, but as Fox’s unscripted culinary franchise king.

Next Level Chef holiday special offers a new twist on a proven formula

Next Level Baker, the holiday special spin-off of Next Level Chef, is one of the few new unscripted events Fox is launching this season. While details remain sparse, the network describes it as a festive twist on the popular cooking competition, with bakers vying for sweet seasonal glory.

Given the success of Next Level Chef, which blends intense competition with creative culinary challenges, the baker-focused holiday edition feels like a natural evolution. And with Ramsay at the helm, it’s unlikely to lack for drama, passion, or high-stakes frosting fights.

Fox’s unscripted strategy leans heavily on established stars like Ramsay

Fox’s 2025-26 schedule leans heavily into unscripted content, with reality and game shows filling five nights of primetime. This is a deliberate play by the network, which is doubling down on formats that consistently pull viewers. In this ecosystem, Gordon Ramsay stands out as a reliable ratings magnet.

Shows like Celebrity Weakest Link, 99 to Beat, and the Fear Factor reboot may bring novelty to the lineup, but it’s Ramsay’s steady stream of culinary competitions that provide continuity. Fox is clearly trusting his brand to keep audience numbers strong, even as they experiment with new unscripted formats.

Ramsay’s impact goes beyond hosting — he’s a brand Fox can’t afford to lose

What’s clear from Fox’s fall schedule is that Gordon Ramsay is more than just a host — he’s a key part of the network’s unscripted identity. With three shows (four, if you count the Next Level Baker holiday special) in the mix, Ramsay dominates more of Fox’s prime-time week than almost any other personality.

His presence gives Fox a dependable edge in the crowded reality TV marketplace. And with Hell’s Kitchen still going strong, and new variations like Next Level Baker on the horizon, Ramsay isn’t just staying relevant — he’s evolving along with the network’s needs.

What this means for Ramsay’s TV empire moving forward

Fox’s reliance on Gordon Ramsay for its unscripted lineup may also signal where the network sees its future. As scripted shows shrink to just two nights a week and more airtime is given to reality formats, personalities like Ramsay become crucial.

It’s easy to imagine Fox continuing to build around Ramsay, possibly with more spin-offs, holiday specials, or even crossovers between his existing shows. Next Level Baker could just be the start of a new sub-genre in his TV repertoire — one that combines seasonal themes with competitive cooking.

For now, Ramsay is simply making sure he stays at the center of the action. And with Fox’s unscripted slate looking the way it does, that’s a position he’s unlikely to lose anytime soon.