Jeopardy! to return with Alex Trebek and historic champion Ken Jennings in new role

Jennings will perform some on-air duties

Jeopardy! is returning with a new season featuring Alex Trebek – and historic champion Ken Jennings in a brand-new role.

The show announced on Thursday that its 37th season would begin on 14 September.

In a promotional video, Trebek told viewers: “We’ve made some changes and I think you’re going to like them.”

He assured them he’ll remain as host. Jennings, meanwhile, has joined the team as a consulting producer, which will include on-air duties such as announcing categories.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you,” Trebek told fans in the clip.

Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer, and Brad Rutter on a press tour on 8 January 2020 in Pasadena, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Jennings made history in 2004 when he established the longest winning streak in the show’s history, remaining on for 74 episodes in a row.

His streak ended when contestant Nancy Zerg beat him.

Last year, Jennings faced off with Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer, the other two highest earning contestants in the show’s history, for a tournament dubbed Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time. Jennings won and was awarded the title.

The new season of Jeopardy! was filmed without a studio audience, and casting was conducted entirely online. A new set enables contestants to stand further apart from one another, and further away from Trebek.

“Though I’ve played my last round of Jeopardy! as a contestant, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to remain involved with my favourite show,” Jennings told The Associated Press in a statement. “I’m still in on all the action, but I don’t have to worry about phrasing things in the form of a question anymore.”

Trebek, who has publicly discussed his diagnosis with pancreatic cancer, has continued hosting while receiving treatment.

He said last month that his doctor expects him to celebrate two years of survivorship next February.

Additional reporting by AP