NBC′S Popular Alternative Series THE BIGGEST LOSER Weighs In On A Fourth Season
Announcement Comes as Series Prepares for Live, Two-hour Season Finale on Wednesday, December 13
NBC has re-upped its popular weight-loss alternative series THE BIGGEST LOSER for a fourth season, it was announced by Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment.
THE BIGGEST LOSER is a valuable franchise and proven competitor in a very challenging time period," said Reilly. "The producing team has come up with unique ways to keep the series fresh and we anticipate the next cycle will continue to produce life-changing results for the contestants and jaw-dropping reveals for the viewers."
"We are thrilled to be continuing this franchise with NBC," said executive producer and Reveille CEO Ben Silverman. "Season four has not only been a strong ratings performer for the network but has also become even more important in teaching Americans how to adopt healthier lifestyle practices. The show is an inspiration to millions of people across the country as well as educational and entertaining."
"We feel very fortunate to have yet another year of helping overweight Americans reclaim their lives," said executive producer JD Roth. "Producing a show where people take responsibility for their life the old fashioned way, transforming themselves right in front our eyes each week on television, still sends a powerful message that it′s never too late to be the person you want to be."
Through the opening eight weeks of the 2006-07 television season, THE BIGGEST LOSER has averaged a 3.1 rating, 8 share in adults 18-49 and 7.4 million viewers overall. THE BIGGEST LOSER has improved its regular time period, the Wednesday 9-10 p.m. ET hour, by 40 percent versus year-ago NBC results in the slot. The show′s most recent telecast on November 15 delivered NBC′s highest 18-49 rating in the Wednesday 8 p.m. ET hour so far this season despite airing opposite ABC′s "Dancing With the Stars" finale. All "Biggest Loser" telecasts this season have increased their 18-49 ratings with each succeeding half-hour.
The series will broadcast its third season finale in a special live, two-hour episode on Wednesday, December 13 (8-10 p.m. ET). This season, contestants from all 50-states competed for the chance at the "Biggest Loser" title. While 14 contestants were picked to stay at the ranch, the others were sent home but continued their weight-loss journey for a chance to return to the competition.
The finale will kick off by revealing each of the 34 state contestants′ newly slimmed down bodies. The contestant with the highest percentage of weight-loss will win a prize of $50,000. Later, the kicked-off contestants from the ranch will compete to see who has lost the largest percentage of weight since being sent home. The winning "loser" will take home a cool $100,000. Finally, the viewers will see how the four finalists continued their weight-loss journeys at home after leaving THE BIGGEST LOSER ranch, all culminating with the final weigh-in where one the four finalists will be crowned THE BIGGEST LOSER and win $250,000.
The first reality series in which everybody "loses," THE BIGGEST LOSER, hosted by Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, the Teenage Witch"), challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 65 territories and 20 countries. It has also produced a New York Times best-selling book and cookbook, Number One selling fitness DVD and a burgeoning online lifestyle club www.thebiggestloserclub.com.
