ABC'S WINTER "WIPEOUT" SET TO PREMIERE THURSDAY, JANUARY 6

ABC has announced that its Winter "Wipeout" is set to premiere on THURSDAY, JANUARY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). The Big Balls are back and ready to welcome the chilly contestants to an all new snow-filled winter wonderland obstacle course. Snowflakes won't be the only things falling and flying through the air, as snow balls are hurled at contestants, who are themselves literally launched into the frozen tundra. Expect an avalanche of laughs as they take on a spinning ski lift, try to outrun polar bears and avoid hockey pucks to the head -- all in a completely new winter Wipeout Zone and amid a snowy blizzard -- on this winterized version of "Wipeout."

"Wipeout" is hosted by John Anderson (ESPN's "SportsCenter,"), John Henson (E! Entertainment's "Talk Soup") and co-hosted by Jill Wagner.

Each week, 24 enthusiastic new contestants of all ages, shapes and sizes go head to head through four rounds of demanding but hilarious obstacle courses to win the title of "Wipeout Champion" and the $50,000 grand prize. In the end, only one contestant will be victorious, while everyone else will Wipeout!

"Wipeout" executive producers are Matt Kunitz ("Fear Factor") and Scott Larsen. Shye Sutherland, Kevin Wehrenberg, Trice Barto and J. Rupert Thompson are co-executive producers. The series is produced by Endemol USA. David Goldberg is the chairman of Endemol North America.

About Endemol USA

Endemol USA is a leading producer of television programming specializing in reality and non-scripted genres for network and cable television. The company produces the break-out hits "Deal or No Deal," "Wipeout," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" and "Big Brother." Endemol USA is a division of the Endemol Group, a prominent international content developer, producer and distributor of television and online programming. The company, headquartered in the Netherlands, has subsidiaries and joint ventures in 25 countries, including the major European markets, the U.S., South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Endemol is owned by a consortium consisting of Goldman Sachs Capital Partners, Mediaset Group and Cyrte Group. For more information, please visit http://www.endemolusa.tv. Endemol is a privately held company.

"Wipeout" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5/1 channel surround sound.

For more information on "Wipeout," visit ABC.com