Tuesday, November 22, 2005

THE BIGGEST LOSER Is Renewed For Third Series

Announcement Comes as Series Prepares for Live, Two-hour Second Season Finale on November 29

NBC has sized up its hit weight-loss reality series THE BIGGEST LOSER (Tuesdays, 8-9 p.m. ET) for a new third season, it was announced by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.

"THE BIGGEST LOSER tells a very relatable story for many viewers and offers an upbeat and empowering challenge," said Reilly. "We are also pleased with the ratings momentum that the show has built in a competitive time slot."

"We are thrilled THE BIGGEST LOSER franchise is healthier than ever and that we will continue to have an opportunity with NBC to entertain and empower our avid fan base," said Executive Producer and Reveille CEO Ben Silverman.

So far this season, THE BIGGEST LOSER has averaged a 3.6 rating, 10 share in adults 18-49 and 8.8 million viewers overall, consistently placing number 2 in its competitive hour in 18-49 and number 1 among adults 18-34. One measure of THE BIGGEST LOSER´s hold on the audience is its average 25 percent increase in 18-49 rating from its first half-hour to its second (to a 4.0 rating from a 3.2). Over the past two weeks, THE BIGGEST LOSER has delivered NBC´s two strongest performances in the time period among adults 18-49 and total viewers since last January 11 - the night of THE BIGGEST LOSER first-season finale.

The series will broadcast its second-season finale in a special live, two-hour episode on Tuesday, November 29 (8-10 p.m. ET). The first hour will feature the "winner of the losers" where the kicked-off contestants will compete to see who has lost the largest percentage of weight since leaving the ranch. The winning "loser" will take home a cool $100,000. During the second hour of the finale, viewers will see how the three finalists continued their weight-loss journeys at home after leaving THE BIGGEST LOSER ranch. The finale will culminate with the live weigh-in where one the three finalists will be crowned THE BIGGEST LOSER and win $250,000.

The first reality series in which everybody "loses," THE BIGGEST LOSER challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo radical physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they complete for a grand prize of $250,000. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 35 territories and 15 countries. It has also produced a New York Times best-selling book and a burgeoning online lifestyle club http://www.biggestloserclub.com.