NBC ANNOUNCES PREMIERES FOR FOUR NEW MID-SEASON SERIES AND A SPECIAL LIVE FINALE FOR 'THE BIGGEST LOSER'

NBC ANNOUNCES PREMIERES FOR FOUR NEW MID-SEASON SERIES AND A SPECIAL LIVE FINALE FOR 'THE BIGGEST LOSER'

BURBANK, Calif. -- December 1, 2004 -- Jeff Zucker, President, NBC Universal Television Group and Kevin Reilly, President, NBC Entertainment, jointly announced today the premiere dates of four mid-season programs - "Medium," "Committed," "The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search" and "The Contender"- coming to NBC this winter. They also announced the airdate of a special, 90-minute live finale of the weight-loss drama "The Biggest Loser."

"Medium," a chilling drama series inspired by a real-life story, will premiere on Monday, Jan. 3 (10-11 p.m. ET). Patricia Arquette ("Stigmata," "Flirting with Disaster") stars as Allison Dubois, a young wife and mother who has been struggling since childhood to make sense of her dreams and visions of dead people. She uses her gifts to help solve violent and horrifying crimes whose mysteries often reside with those who live beyond the grave. The series also stars Jake Weber ("U-571") as husband Joe Dubois, and Sofia Vassilieva and Maria Lark as their children, Ariel and Bridget. David Cubitt ("10.5") recurs as Detective Lee Scanlon.

"Medium" comes from Emmy Award-winning executive producer, creator and director Glenn Gordon Caron ("Moonlighting"), and executive producers Kelsey Grammer ("Girlfriends"), Steve Stark and Oscar winner Ronald L. Schwary ("Ordinary People"). "Medium" is produced by Picturemaker Productions, Inc., in association with Grammnet Productions and Paramount Network Television.

"Committed," a comedy series that casts an off-kilter eye on the bizarre whirlwind courtship of two opposites who attract each other despite outrageous circumstances, premieres on Tuesday, January 4 (9:30-10 p.m. ET).

From writers and executive producers, Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline ("Roseanne," "Ellen," NBC's "Three Sisters"), "Committed" stars Josh Cooke ("Century City") and Emmy winner Jennifer Finnigan (NBC's "Crossing Jordan") as Nate and Marni. Darius McCrary ("Family Matters"), Tammy Lynn Michaels ("The L Word") and Tom Poston ("Newhart") also star.

NBC joins partner Sports Illustrated to launch a nationwide search for the next great swimsuit supermodel with its new unscripted series "Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search." The series will premiere Wednesday, Jan. 5 (8-9 p.m. ET) and the finale will be timed for the launch of the magazine's famed annual Swimsuit Issue. Twelve selected finalists will live in Los Angeles where they will compete for the chance to appear in the Swimsuit Issue and win a million-dollar modeling contract from NEXT Model Management. The contest's three-judge panel includes former Sports Illustrated model Roshumba Williams, NEXT Model Management CEO Joe Wilkenfeld and former Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue editor and creator Jule Campbell.

"Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search" is produced by Pariah, PB & J Television and Sports Illustrated. Gavin Polone, Patty Ivins, Julie Pizzi, Terry McDonell and Sports Illustrated's Roy S. Johnson executive producer the series. Jessika Borsiczky serves as producer along with co-producer Frank for Pariah.

The winner of the compelling weight-loss drama, "The Biggest Loser" will be revealed on a special 90-minute live telecast on Tuesday, Jan. 11 (8-9:30 p.m. ET). In the end, "The Biggest Loser" becomes the biggest winner, walking away with a healthier body and $250,000. Caroline Rhea ("Sabrina, The Teenage Witch") hosts the unscripted series in which two competing teams follow comprehensive diet and exercise plans to undergo radical physical makeovers.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille, 25/7 Productions, 3 Ball Productions and NBC Universal Television Studio. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Restaurant," "The Office: An American Workplace"), Dave Broome ("Jingle Ball Rock"), J.D. Roth ("NBC's "For Love or Money," "Endurance"), John Foy ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") and Todd A. Nelson ("For Love or Money," "Endurance") are the executive producers.

NBC's much-anticipated "The Contender" -- the new unscripted series about the search for the next boxing superstar from Oscar nominee Sylvester Stallone, Mark Burnett (NBC's "The Apprentice," "Survivor") and Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks SKG -- will premiere with a special 90-minute episode on Monday, February 21 (9:30-11 p.m. ET) and then will move into its regular time period on Tuesday, March 1 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET).

"The Contender" follows a diverse group of sixteen young men as they pursue their dream of becoming an American hero in the boxing ring. The canvas of the show is much broader than boxing -- it will give viewers a first-hand look into the real life hopes, triumphs and defeats of the contestants.

"The Contender" is a joint production between Mark Burnett Productions, DreamWorks Television and Rogue Marble. Stallone, Burnett and Katzenberg are the executive producers.