The US Celebrity Apprentice won't be back until later this year at the earliest.

Now hosted by Arnold Schwarzenegger and called The New Celebrity Apprentice, the reality show isn't on NBC's fall schedule (via Deadline).

According to NBC Entertainment Group chairman Bob Greenblatt, the show's delay is due to an "embarrassment of riches", meaning it is being held to air "between The Voice cycles that could use a big engine like this".

"Apprentice performed well when we had it in January in the past, and the time period on Monday is heated up for reality fans by The Voice," he expanded.

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NBC's reality guru Paul Telegdy added that the hold-off on the show's debut also allows the network to market the show's new season and new host during football season.

Arnie took over from Donald Trump after he left to pursue his US presidential campaign and if the show doesn't air until January, it means The New Celebrity Apprentice won't be airing during Trump's White House campaign.

What to Read Next

The reality show moves from New York to LA for the new series and will include Tyra Banks, Jessica Alba and Arnie's nephew Patrick.

Warren Buffett, Steve Ballmer and Boy George will also be heading to the boardroom.

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Ian Sandwell

Movies Editor, Digital Spy  Ian has more than 10 years of movies journalism experience as a writer and editor.  Starting out as an intern at trade bible Screen International, he was promoted to report and analyse UK box-office results, as well as carving his own niche with horror movies, attending genre festivals around the world.   After moving to Digital Spy, initially as a TV writer, he was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became Movies Editor in 2019, in which role he has interviewed 100s of stars, including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba and Olivia Colman, become a human encyclopedia for Marvel and appeared as an expert guest on BBC News and on-stage at MCM Comic-Con. Where he can, he continues to push his horror agenda – whether his editor likes it or not.