or


[04/28/11 - 08:21 AM]
G4 Heads to Japan for Third Season of "American Ninja Warrior" and Gives Fans the Opportunity to Support the Country's Relief Efforts Through the American Red Cross
The new season will premiere this August on G4, with the final two episodes from Japan also airing and premiering on NBC.

[via press release from G4]

G4 HEADS TO JAPAN FOR THIRD SEASON OF "AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR" AND GIVES FANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE COUNTRY'S RELIEF EFFORTS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

Amateur Athletes Will Get The Chance To Turn Professional With A $500,000 K·SWISS Endorsement Deal and National Ad Campaign at Stake

Series Will Debut in August Culminating with Two Special Finale Episodes From Japan Premiering On NBC

Los Angeles, CA, April 28, 2011 - G4's "American Ninja Warrior" is back for a third season to find the strongest, most skilled U.S. competitors and give them an opportunity to defeat the nearly impossible obstacle course known as Mt. Midoriyama in Japan. As part of the new season, the network is committed to helping generate awareness and money for American Red Cross support of relief efforts in Japan through a public auction that will allow one lucky person to challenge the course. For all other contenders, G4 will hold open tryouts in Venice Beach, CA on Monday, May 16 and Tuesday, May 17 and, for the first time ever, the American who can complete all four stages of the world's toughest obstacle course in the fastest time will be awarded a $500,000 K·Swiss endorsement contract and will appear in a national advertising campaign for the brand. However, just to make it to Japan, the contestants must survive open tryouts and a grueling boot camp session to be one of the ten selected to go to Japan. Executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions' founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("Hell's Kitchen," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," "Pros vs. Joes"), the third season of "American Ninja Warrior" will premiere this August on G4, with the final two episodes from Japan also airing and premiering on NBC.

In light of the recent disaster in Japan, G4 has been working closely with the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) who produces "Ninja Warrior" to help raise awareness and money for the American Red Cross relief efforts after the country was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami on March 11th. As part of that, G4 and TBS are auctioning off a once-in-a-lifetime chance for one lucky fan to compete in Japan with the ten "American Ninja Warrior" finalists. While not eligible for the K·Swiss endorsement, this adventurer would get a chance to run the world's most diabolical course alongside the elite athletes they have watched for years. From May 2nd until May 12th, fans are encouraged to bid for this amazing opportunity through eBAY. Net proceeds of the winning bid will benefit the American Red Cross.

"We are taking 'American Ninja Warrior' to a whole new level this year by partnering with K·Swiss to give these athletes the chance to turn professional with their own endorsement deal and national ad campaign," said Neal Tiles, President G4. "G4 viewers are deeply connected to Japanese culture and it was important to us that we find a way to help with the country's relief efforts as we head back to Japan to shoot the third season of the series. With the final two episodes premiering on NBC, this year's 'American Ninja Warrior' event is our biggest and most exciting yet."

"We are very thankful for everything many nations have done for Japan during this tragedy" said TBS's Managing Director Ichiro Nobukuni. "By continuing to add to this series that is enjoyed by so many people around the globe, TBS is able to show our appreciation to the world for their kindness and at the same time, in collaboration with G4, help the people and regions so severely affected in Japan through our charitable activities."

"We're happy to partner with G4 to broadcast the finale episodes of this action-packed series and share it with an even wider audience -- as well as properly showcase this competitive event in a way that will hopefully remind viewers of the Japanese people's heroic struggle in the wake of their ongoing March 11 tragedy," said Paul Telegdy, NBC's Executive Vice President of Alternative Programming and Specials.

Open tryouts will be held in May at Southern California's Venice Beach on May 16-17. More than 300 entrants are expected to begin here, but only 15 will surface from these tryouts and move on to the next stage of this arduous journey. As with last year's competition, these 15 aspiring Ninja Warrior competitors will have the opportunity to live and train together at a boot camp in preparation for Japan's Mount Midoriyama. They will undertake grueling challenges that determine who is eliminated from the competition. Only 10 finalists will make the trip to Japan where they will face Mount Midoriyama and Sasuke 27, the world's most unforgiving obstacle course. The American competitor who completes all four stages at Sasuke with the fastest final stage time will be named the ultimate "American Ninja Warrior" receiving a $500,000 K·Swiss endorsement contract and launching their professional career in a national advertising campaign.

Production for "American Ninja Warrior" will begin in May with the kick-off of the nationwide search for America's strongest competitors at the open tryout on Venice Beach (at Windward Plaza). Fans are encouraged to go to g4tv.com/anwcasting for rules and more information.

The third season of "American Ninja Warrior" will be executive produced by A. Smith & Co. Productions' founders Arthur Smith and Kent Weed ("Hell's Kitchen," "I Survived a Japanese Game Show," "Pros vs. Joes").

The auction is open to legal residents of the United States, excluding Massachusetts, Maine and Alabama. Winning bidder will be responsible for his or her own travel and accommodations. Other conditions apply. Net proceeds of the winning bid will benefit the American Red Cross (American National Red Cross, 2025 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20006). The American Red Cross name and emblem are used with its permission, which in no way constitutes an endorsement, express or implied, of any product, service, company, opinion or political position. The American Red Cross logo is a registered trademark owned by the American Red Cross. For more information about the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org.

Ninja Warrior in Japan is produced by Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. and Monster 9 Co., Ltd.

For more information on the auction please go to www.g4tv.com/japan.

About G4

G4 offers the last word on gaming, technology, animation, interactivity and "geek culture" for the male 18-34 demo. The network has given young guys of today's digital generation a television home. G4 is the #1 podcasted cable network in America and is available in 59 million cable and satellite homes nationwide. G4tv.com is a top web destination for video game news and information. The network's popular original programming includes "Attack of the Show!," "X-Play," "American Ninja Warrior" and "Campus PD." G4 also continues to expand its live event coverage at CES, Comic-Con, E3, Tokyo Game Show and more. The network's key acquisitions include "Heroes" and "Lost." G4's Multiplex features content on all possible digital platforms, including G4tv.com, G4 Mobile, G4 Podcasts, G4 on Demand, G4 Video Player, G4 Wii Portal and G4 PS3 Portal. G4 is a network of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment, a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.

About Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc

With over 50 year history of television broadcasting in Japan, Tokyo Broadcasting System Television, Inc. (TBS) along with 37 TBS Group companies constitutes one of the largest media conglomerates in Japan encompassing a wide range of media and business activities including broadcast (nationwide terrestrial TV/radio networks to digital satellite, mobile, and broadband), content production (TV/radio programs, formats, movies, video/DVDs, internet, computer graphics), domestic/overseas distribution, concerts and other events. With long-running hits like America's Funniest Home Videos and MXC, TBS continues to be a strong provider of content in the global arena distributing programs of all genres to over 100 countries. For more information, visit our online program catalog at http://www.tbs.co.jp/eng/programsales/index.html

About A. Smith & Co. Productions

Founded by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed in 2000, A. Smith & Co. Productions generates some of the most innovative, highly-rated and high quality unscripted programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. Since its launch the company has created over 1,000 hours of programming and developed and produced the number one show in America an astonishing 20 times and a top 5 show over 50 times. The company's current production slate includes the Emmy(R) nominated hit show "Hell's Kitchen" as well as "Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordon Ramsay;" "Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura;" "Full Throttle Saloon;" "Unsung;" "Ultimate Car Build Off;" "America's Worst Driver;" "UFC Countdown" and "Pros vs. Joes." A. Smith & Co.'s highly rated programming and executive team have been nominated for several awards including a DGA Award, a NAACP Image Award and a Rose d'Or of which they won two in 2009 for "I Survived a Japanese Game Show." A. Smith & Co.'s library of programming includes hit shows like "The Swan," "Skating with Celebrities," and "Paradise Hotel."

About K·Swiss

Founded more than forty years ago in Van Nuys, California, K·Swiss (NASDAQ: KSWS) introduced the first all-leather tennis shoe, the K·Swiss "Classic" in 1966. Since its inception, K·Swiss has rooted itself in California Sport with an aim to be the most inspiring and innovative sports brand in the market. Today the company offers performance and lifestyle footwear and apparel for several categories under its California Sports umbrella including Tennis Heritage, California Fit (Running, Triathlon and Fitness) and California Youth. K·Swiss also designs, develops and markets footwear under the Palladium brand, and owns the FORM Athletics brand. For more information about K·Swiss, visit www.kswiss.com.





  [april 2011]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
     


· AMERICAN NINJA WARRIOR (NBC)
· HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX)
· I SURVIVED A JAPANESE GAME SHOW (ABC)
· PROS VS. JOES (SPIKE TV)





[06/03/26 - 08:00 AM]
Chilling Hit Detective Drama, "Inspector Ellis," Starring Sharon D Clarke Returns to Acorn TV on Monday, July 6
Additional episodes will premiere weekly on the platform.

[06/03/26 - 07:31 AM]
Video: "Chris & Martina: The Final Set" - Official Trailer - Netflix
This documentary explores Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova's decades-long dominance of women's tennis - and a friendship even cancer couldn't upset.

[06/03/26 - 07:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV unveils New Trailer for Highly Anticipated Limited Series "Lucky"
"Lucky" will make its global debut on Apple TV with the first two episodes on Wednesday, July 15, followed by new episodes every Wednesday through August 19.

[06/03/26 - 07:00 AM]
Fans Power UFL on ESPN to Significant Viewership Growth Across 10-Week Regular Season
ABC alone accounted for eight of the top 10 most-watched games.

[06/03/26 - 06:54 AM]
ESPN's "We're Going" Campaign Turns Animated in Celebration of Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 5
Each spot adds to ESPN's Year of the Super Bowl celebration, with more spots set to debut up until kickoff in Los Angeles in February 2027.

[06/03/26 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Oasis" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a young woman mysteriously vanishes from a luxury resort, staff and guests alike become suspects - trapped inside until the truth comes out.

[06/03/26 - 06:01 AM]
Marcello Hernandez to Host "The 2026 ESPYS Presented by Capital One" at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center
This year marks The ESPYS return to New York City, where the show will air live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

[06/03/26 - 06:00 AM]
TNT Sports Caps Its Most Watched NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs with Its Most Watched Conference Final Ever
The record-setting series helped propel TNT Sports' overall coverage of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs to an average of 1.4 million viewers across TNT, TBS, truTV and HBO Max, up 50% from 2025 through the Conference Final.

[06/02/26 - 04:06 PM]
NBC and Peacock Deliver Most-Watched Conference Finals Game Since 2016 with 15.9 Million Viewers for Spurs-Thunder Game 7 on Saturday Night
Across 28 playoff games, NBC Sports' presentation of the 2026 NBA Playoffs averaged 7.2 million viewers on NBC and Peacock, up 72% versus comparable coverage last season.

[06/02/26 - 02:36 PM]
ESPN's WCWS Viewership Success Continues
Texas Tech-UCLA averaged 2.0 million viewers, with a peak of 2.6 million.

[06/02/26 - 02:13 PM]
FOX IndyCar Continues Ratings Growth with Strong Detroit Performance
Through eight races, IndyCar on FOX is averaging 2,241,000 viewers, up +12% from 2025 (2,007,000).

[06/02/26 - 02:00 PM]
FOX MLB's "Baseball Night in America" Delivers Most-Watched Baseball Telecast of the Week
2,322,000 viewers tuned-in to FOX for a two-game slate highlighted by the Cubs' 6-1 victory over the Cardinals in most of the country.

[06/02/26 - 01:17 PM]
FX's "The Drop: A Snowfall Saga" Set as New Title for Spinoff Series Coming Later This Year on FX and Hulu
Set in '90s Los Angeles, the new series follows "Snowfall" characters Wanda (Gail Bean) and Leon (Isaiah John) as they fight to take West Coast rap mainstream while gang wars erupt and record labels move to exploit hip hop culture for their own gain.

[06/02/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of May 25 - "The Boroughs" Makes Itself at Home at No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
Plus: "Nemesis" stole away with the No. 2 spot on the list, commanding 5.9 million views.

[06/02/26 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Announces Additional Summer 2026 Premiere Dates
Highlights include the return of "Kitchen Nightmares" on Tuesday, July 21 and "Beat Shazam" on Tuesday, July 28.