THE SUMMER JUST GOT HOTTER AS THE COMPETITION HEATS UP ON MTV'S "THE CHALLENGE: RIVALS" PREMIERING ON JUNE 22 AT 10PM ET/PT

New York, NY - June 13, 2011 - MTV reveals this summer's hottest competition show, "The Challenge: Rivals," premiering Wednesday, June 22 at 10pm ET/PT. "Rivals" takes the competition and the drama to a new level this season as each team is comprised of two people who are known enemies. The explosive premiere kicks off with a challenge that sends the rivals flying - right over a waterfall. But the big surprise is who wins day one. And later, as tempers flare, one challenger is sent packing.

This season, with TJ Lavin as returning host, "The Challenge: Rivals" takes 14 men and 14 women out of their comfort zone to the exotic Costa Rica for a brand new game and a brand new team structure. Like every challenge, "RIVALS" will require strength, stamina, and perseverance. But more than ever before it's going to require mental toughness - because in a new twist each two-person team will be made up of a pair of bitter rivals who will have to depend on each other to win the ultimate prize - $300,000 cash. Watch as rivalries become stronger, friendships are formed, and relationships are put to the ultimate test. Will CT, who previously punched Adam in the face, be able to convince Adam put it behind them to win the cash? Will Paula and Eve put their mutual distaste for each other aside, and will loudmouth Kenny be able hold back the insults usually aimed at his enemy Wes, in order to put together a winning strategy?

Meet the "Rivals" Teams:

· Adam Royer and Leroy Garrett- The Real World 25: Las Vegas

· Kenny Santucci (The Challenge: Fresh Meat) and Wes Bergmann (The Real World: Austin)

· Evan Starkman ( The Challenge: Fresh Meat) and Nehemiah Clark (The Real World: Austin)

· Tyler Duckworth and Johnny Devenanzio- The Real World: Key West

· Davis Mallory and Tyrie Brown - The Real World: Denver

· Brandon Nelson(The Challenge: Fresh Meat II) and Ty Ruff (The Real World: D.C)

· CT Tamburello and Adam King- The Real World: Paris

· Cara Maria Sorbello and Laurel Stucky- The Challenge: Fresh Meat II

· Mandi Moyer (The Challenge: Fresh Meat II) and Jenn Grijalva ( The Real World: Denver)

· Evelyn Smith ( The Challenge: Fresh Meat) and Paula Meronek ( The Real World: Key West)

· Sarah Rice and Katelynn Cusanelli- The Real World: Brooklyn

· Jasmine Reynaud and Jonna Mannion- The Real World: Cancun

· Theresa Gonzalez (The Challenge: Fresh Meat II) and Camila Nakagawa ( Spring Break Challenge)

· Aneesa Ferreira (The Real World: Chicago) and Robin Hibbard ( The Real World: San Diego)

Rivals.mtv.com is your only destination to watch full episodes, exclusive bonus scenes not shown on TV, sneak peeks and more!

Sound off with other fans on Twitter and Facebook. Use our official hashtag #Rivals and have your tweets show up on the Rivals show site. The Rivals Facebook page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/rwrrchallenges.

"The Challenge: Rivals," was created for MTV by Bunim/Murray Productions. Jonathan Murray, Scott Freeman and Justin Booth serve as Executive Producers. Jacquelyn French is the MTV Executive overseeing the series.

About MTV:

MTV is the world's premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy(R), Grammy(R) and Peabody(R) award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV's sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is the leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is part of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.

About Bunim/Murray Productions:

Bunim/Murray Productions is the leading producer of innovative entertainment content. The Emmy Award-winning company is widely credited with creating the reality television genre with its hit series The Real World (25 seasons for MTV). Bunim/Murray continued to innovate with the first reality game show, Road Rules (MTV), in 1995; the first reality sitcom, The Simple Life (E!), in 2003; and the first reality soap opera, Starting Over, in 2003. Bunim/Murray's current programming includes The Bad Girls Club and Love Games (Oxygen), Keeping up with the Kardashians, Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kim and Kourtney Take New York, Khloe and Lamar, The Spin Crowd and Married to Rock (E!), The Real World/Road Rules Challenge (MTV), Project Runway (Lifetime) and Saddle Ranch (VH1). Bunim/Murray Productions has launched additional entities including M Theory Entertainment, BMP Films and M Music. BMP Films produced Pedro (MTV) and the Emmy Award-winning Autism: The Musical (HBO). Based in Van Nuys, CA, Bunim/Murray Productions was founded in 1987 by Jonathan Murray and the late Mary-Ellis Bunim. The company joined Banijay Group in 2010.