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.
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