PRODUCTION HAS BEGUN ON "MASTER OF CHAMPIONS," A ONE-HOUR WEEKLY EXTREME CHALLENGE COMPETITION, PREMIERING JUNE 22 ON ABC

Production has begun in Hollywood on "Master of Champions," a one-hour weekly game show competition where only one contestant has unique skills, passion and determination sufficient to win the ultimate title -- Master of Champions. "Master of Champions" will premiere THURSDAY, JUNE 22 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

Editors please note: If the NBA Finals go to a Game 7 on June 22, "Master of Champions" will premiere the following week, Thursday, June 29, from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET.

Chris Leary (Discovery Channel's "Pop Nation") and sports reporter and commentator Lisa Dergan will serve as hosts.

Each week, six competitors with some of the world's most unique talents face off in this one-hour competition to determine who is the best of the best. Preeminent judges from show business and sports will pare the contestants down to three, who will then face a live studio audience for the final selection of one as the next Master of Champions. Contestants will participate in such unique and extreme challenges as the International House of Helicopters, Human Fireworks, Interpretive Pizza Tossing, the Extreme Unicycle Obstacle Course and Amazing Drift Driving. The fearless competitors range in ages from ten up.

In some contests, two competitors perform the same stunt and the judges decide who is the best. In others, competitors perform different and unique tasks. The judges will score them first, and the last three standing will face the audience for final judgment. The winner will earn the title of Master of Champions and have his or her name permanently inscribed on the Master of Champions Wall of Fame.

"Master of Champions" is based on the format World Records by NTV from Japan. Executive producers are Tim Crescenti, Yoshiro Yasuoka and Isao Zaitsu for Nippon Television. Jonas Larsen and Anthony Ross are executive producers for Y27 Entertainment.