NBC PICKS UP HIGH-OCTANE HIT 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' TO CONTINUE COMPETING IN SECOND SEASON

NBC PICKS UP HIGH-OCTANE HIT 'AMERICAN GLADIATORS' TO CONTINUE COMPETING IN SECOND SEASON

BURBANK - January 14, 2008 - NBC has picked up a second season of the hit competition series "American Gladiators" (Mondays, 8-9 p.m. ET) it was announced today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

" 'American Gladiators' has delivered everything we were hoping for and has come out of the gate as a top contender," said Plestis. "We couldn't be more pleased with the audience reaction to this top-notch show all ages can enjoy."

"Reveille and MGM are so thrilled that America has responded to our reinvention of American Gladiators," said executive producer Howard T. Owens, managing director of Reveille LLC. He adds, "The next cycle will allow us to tell more stories, create bigger drama, introduce new challenges and further create the most fun-filled, action-packed hour of television."

"MGM is pleased to bring viewers a highly entertaining show that has sparked a chord with viewers all over the country," said Jim Packer, Co-President, MGM Television. "We and our partners at Reveille look forward to another action-packed season of 'American Gladiators' on NBC."

The Sunday, January 6 debut of "American Gladiators" (5.9 rating, 14 share in adults 18-49, 12.0 million viewers overall) grabbed the season's highest adult 18-49 rating for any new-series premiere on any network in the opening 15-weeks of the season. It was also NBC's top new-series premiere since "Heroes" launched in September 2006. Monday's regular-slot debut of "American Gladiators" (4.8/12 in 18-49, 10.9 million viewers overall) was that night's #1 non-sports telecast in adults 18-49 and NBC's top-scoring program in the time period since March 5, 2007, despite exceptional competition for young male viewers that night from Fox' BCS Championship football coverage.

In addition, "American Gladiators" has quickly established itself as a ratings behemoth among young men and young adults, with its January 6 premiere delivering the highest men 18-34 rating of any non-sports program on any network in the last seven weeks. That telecast also claimed NBC's highest non-sports rating among adults 18-49 in the time period in nearly three years (since January 16, 2005).

Hulk Hogan ("Hogan Knows Best") and Laila Ali ("Dancing with the Stars") host the iconic competition series, which returned with a fresh modern reinvention for the 21st century. Using splashy twists including special effects, water skills and the latest technology, the classic games have been upgraded with even higher thrills, impact, energy and spectacle.

Celebrating the everyday, true American heroes -- weekend warriors who excel and take pride in their physical fitness -- 24 contenders go up against the show's Gladiators, charismatic and eclectic warriors -- in the ultimate David & Goliath battle. The male Gladiators including Titan, Militia, Toa, Justice, Wolf and Mayhem and the female Gladiators Fury, Venom, Stealth, Crush, Hellga and Siren, have emerged as larger-than-life, break-out characters.

As in MGM's traditional "American Gladiators" franchise, everyday amateur athletes compete against the Gladiators in contests of physical strength and endurance. The series includes such classic events as Joust, The Wall, Hang Tough, Powerball, Assault, Pyramid, Gauntlet and the Eliminator along with two brand-new events including Earthquake and Hit & Run.

The 24 male and female contenders compete in three rounds of challenges where the final man and woman left standing will win a $100,000 top prize and will become Gladiators next season. All contenders have a unique story to tell and a compelling reason why they need to win. These unsung heroes combine brawn and heart in their effort to be worthy competitors, winning over the audience and turning them against the villainous Gladiators.

The series is currently casting for season two. For more information, please go to www.nbc.com.

"American Gladiators" is produced by MGM Television (the original producers of the show) and Reveille (NBC's "The Office" and "The Biggest Loser," "Nashville Star," "Ugly Betty"). Reveille's Mark Koops, Howard T. Owens and David A. Hurwitz ("Fear Factor") are the executive producers alongside Flor-Jon, Films Inc.'s Johnny Ferraro, original series creator.