VETERAN TRAINER BOB HARPER NAMED HOST OF NBC'S "THE BIGGEST LOSER" AND TRAINERS DOLVETT QUINCE AND JENNIFER WIDERSTROM RETURN FOR SEASON 17

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - September 8, 2015 - Bob Harper, the longtime "Biggest Loser" trainer who has been with NBC's popular weight loss series since season one, will take on an exciting new role - and have a much bigger presence this season - when he also becomes the host of 'The Biggest Loser.' Harper will continue to offer his training expertise to contestants at various points throughout the season. Dolvett Quince and Jennifer Widerstrom will also be returning for the 17th season, training eight contestant teams of two in an exciting return to team versus team competition.

The new season of 'The Biggest Loser' begins production in September. In his new role, Harper will now be offering a new perspective as host, guiding contestants through all weigh-ins, challenges and temptations. "I'm super excited about taking the position of host on 'The Biggest Loser,' says Harper. "I've been with the show since season one so I know all of the ins and outs, and let me tell you, the weigh-in room is going to be a completely different ballgame with me at the steering wheel."

The sixteen contestants will be trained by Quince, who is returning to the show for his sixth season, and Widerstrom, who is back for her second season. Additional creative plans for the new season, including compelling new twists in the format, will be announced at a later date.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Endemol Shine North America and 25/7 Productions. Ben Silverman, Dave Broome, Eden Gaha, Alex Katz, Joel Relampagos, Michael Brooks, JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are the executive producers.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from "The Biggest Loser," please visit NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/

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