Bravo Makes Television History with First Ever Real Housewives and Below Deck Crossover

Bravo has launched a first-of-its-kind television event. The network merged the casts of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Below Deck Down Under for a three-episode crossover. This unprecedented move filmed the Housewives’ yacht charter for both series simultaneously.

The event marks the first time a full Housewives cast has chartered a superyacht documented across both franchises. According to production executives at Bravo, this was an idea discussed for years before finally coming to life during the latest seasons of both shows.

Production Challenges Almost Sank the Crossover

Bringing the two crews together was not simple. A major hurdle was the strict limit on how many people could be on the yacht. Noah Samton, an SVP of production at NBCUniversal, explained this was the biggest challenge. The teams had to share camera crews and rotate personnel on and off the vessel constantly.

They needed special permission from maritime authorities just to accommodate both production teams. Resources like camera operators became shared assets. At times, the Below Deck team relied on fixed surveillance cameras to capture action.

This allowed the main camera teams to follow the drama with the Housewives. Deciding which scenes made the final cut for both shows required negotiation between the separate production companies. This ensured viewers see the same story from two distinct perspectives.

A Ratings Success and a Look Ahead

The crossover proved to be a major win for Bravo. The first crossover episode of RHOSLC scored a season-high 2.4 million viewers across platforms. It became the most-watched episode of the series since a prior reunion special.

Behind the scenes, the event was filled with memorable moments. Samton recalled an incident where Lisa Barlow’s emotional outburst blocked the crew’s only exit for nearly an hour. Despite the chaos, the yacht crew was instructed not to interact with the guests, adding to the dynamic.

The event also served as the first charter for the new crew of Below Deck Down Under Season four. That season is slated to premiere in early 2026. While the crossover is deemed a success, Bravo suggests they may wait before attempting another one.

This historic Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Below Deck merger has set a new bar for Bravo’s crossover potential, proving that mixing luxury drama with high-seas chaos is a recipe for ratings gold.

Info at your fingertips

Which Real Housewives cast went on Below Deck?

The full cast from The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City chartered the yacht. This included Lisa Barlow, Heather Gay, and Meredith Marks. Their trip was filmed for both their show and Below Deck Down Under.

When does Below Deck Down Under season 4 air?

The fourth season of Below Deck Down Under is scheduled to premiere on Bravo in early 2026. The crossover event with the Housewives will be featured as the first charter of that new season.

Was the crossover a success for Bravo?

Yes, ratings were very strong. The first RHOSLC crossover episode drew 2.4 million viewers. This made it the most-watched episode of that series in quite some time, according to network data.

Are they planning another Housewives and Below Deck crossover?

Bravo executives have called this a special event. They indicate they may wait a season or two before considering another crossover. They want to see how the Below Deck episodes are received first.

Which Below Deck stars were on the crossover?

The yacht crew featured Captain Jason Chambers and chief stew Daisy Kelliher from Below Deck Sailing Yacht. Chef Ben Robinson also made a return to the franchise for this special charter.