or


[01/24/05 - 12:00 AM]
NBC Orders Spin-Off of Its Hit Reality Franchise 'The Biggest Loser' with New Stand-Alone Episodes Featuring Intriguing Team Themes

[via press release from NBC]

NBC ORDERS SPIN-OFF OF ITS HIT REALITY FRANCHISE "THE BIGGEST LOSER" WITH NEW STAND-ALONE EPISODES FEATURING INTRIGUING TEAM THEMES

Episodes Extend the Original Series' Life-altering Challenges By Pitting Unique Teams Against Each Other Such as Town vs. Town or Family vs. Family -- and More

BURBANK, Calif. -- January 24, 2005 -- America's battle of the waistline will continue as NBC announced a new spin-off of its hit reality series "The Biggest Loser" which will feature themed stand-alone episodes pitting town vs. town, family vs. family, bride vs. bride, co-workers vs. co-workers and more.

The title of the new series will incorporate the original series' name, and each week will specify the individual episode's match up, such as "The Biggest Loser: Town vs. Town."

In making the announcement, Craig Plestis, NBC Senior Vice President of Alternative Programs and Development, said, "The success of the first 'Biggest Loser' competition proved that viewers are hungry for original and emotional storytelling. Likewise, the unique format of our new series' themed and closed-ended episodes will help us cast a wider net to reach a more diverse group of people."

Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "The Restaurant"), Executive Producer and CEO Reveille, will bring back the original production team for both the new "Loser" season and the special stand-alone episodes. Said Silverman: "Reveille is thrilled to be expanding "The Biggest Loser" franchise. Our first season showed that 'aspirational' and positive television can deliver huge audiences. We believe both season two and this new extension of the franchise will allow for great emotional storytelling and encouraging everyday people across America to tackle the very real problem of obesity."

Executive producer JD Roth ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") with 3 Ball Productions concurred and added, "In the new series we will bring teams of closely bonded individuals together to lose weight, which will add new dimension to our already powerful brand. We want to motivate America to get healthy."

"The possible combinations of contestant teams for the new spin-off are practically endless," said Executive Producer Dave Broome ("Tsunami Aid: a Concert of Hope"). "Among the other combinations we are prepping are teachers vs. students, doctors vs. nurses, co-workers vs. co-workers, in-laws vs. in-laws, best friends vs. best friends, and firefighters vs. police squads."

As previously announced, the popular series, hosted by Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina the Teenage Witch"), will return in the summer. The series challenges and encourages overweight contestants to undergo radical physical makeovers in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise.

"The Biggest Loser" premiered October 19, 2004, and the January 11, 2005 finale became a ratings heavyweight, scoring NBC's highest rating in the time period in nearly three years, according to Nielsen Media Research. "The Biggest Loser" finale more than doubled the rating in adults 18-49 that NBC had been averaging in the time period prior to the arrival of "Loser."

Rhea and the two fitness experts -- Jillian Michaels (known to viewers as the trainer for the "red" team) and Bob Harper (the trainer for the "blue" team) -- currently are involved in "The Biggest Loser 2"; a different host and trainers will be announced for the special stand-alone episodes.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille, 25/7 Productions, 3 Ball Productions and NBC Universal Television Studio. Silverman and Broome are the executive producers along with J.D. Roth ("NBC's "For Love or Money," "Endurance"), John Foy ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") and Todd A. Nelson ("For Love or Money," "Endurance").





  [january 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
      


· BIGGEST LOSER, THE (USA)
· FOR LOVE OR MONEY (NBC)
· OFFICE, THE (NBC)
· RESTAURANT, THE (NBC)
· SABRINA, THE TEENAGE WITCH (WB)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.