This press release was provided by NBC and Shine America. The Club Industry editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content.
NBC and Shine America's hit series "The Biggest Loser: GLORY Days" returns for its 16th season Thursday, Sept. 11 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT) and is joining forces with some of the nation's leading brands.
Garmin joins returning PARTNERS General Mills, Inc., Subway® Chain's restaurants, Planet Fitness and Jennie-O in the upcoming season with on-air, multi-platform integrations, in-store activations and licensing partnerships.
"We are proud to bring both new and long-standing brand PARTNERS to this exciting new season of 'The Biggest Loser,'" says Monica Austin, SVP, Business and Brand Development, Shine America. "Providing a multi-platform experience that reaches millions of fans each week and highlights the health and nutritional benefits that our brand PARTNERS offer is very important in the continued effort to make America a healthier country."
"These new and returning PARTNERS are great fits for 'The Biggest Loser' franchise, and we are excited to welcome them to the show" said Sari Feinberg, Senior Vice President, Client Solutions, NBC Entertainment. "This season is a prime example of how NBCUniversal can creatively engage fans across platforms while bringing the brand integrations to life, beyond the TV screen."
Garmin, a leading manufacturer of consumer electronics for people who lead active lifestyles, is set to launch THE BIGGEST LOSER branded vívofit wearable technology that will be used by the contestants in an episode airing September 25. Vívofit motivates users to stay on track with fitness goals and create healthy habits, and is the only activity tracker with one year battery life. THE BIGGEST LOSER edition vívofit will be available at NBC Universal's online store and various U.S. retailers in a variety of interchangeable bands.
General Mills, Inc., one of the world's largest food companies, highlights two brands - Green Giant and Progresso Light soups - with in-show integrations and a Challenge America segment. Returning for the fifth year and 10thconsecutive season, the company expands its partnership with Progresso Light branded in-store activations and customized multiplatform content. General Mills also brings the first-of-its-kind Green Giant sweepstakes giving fans a chance to win a stay at THE BIGGEST LOSER Resort in Malibu, CA.
Subway returns to "The Biggest Loser" for the 13th consecutive season partnership with a "Challenge America" segment that follows fan-favorite contestant Joe Ostaszewski (Season 14) as he raises awareness for childhood obesity by riding his bike across America. Subway fuels Ostaszewski's journey with Subway sandwiches keeping him on track with better-for-him options throughout his adventure that begins in Washington, D.C. and ends where it all began, at "The Biggest Loser" Ranch in Malibu, CA.
Additionally, in its fourth season providing gym equipment for the iconic workout facilities at "The Biggest Loser" Ranch, Planet Fitness returns as a partner. The national fitness center brand is also featured in a "Challenge America" segment and two "Where are they Now" segments highlighting contestants' at-home success. In a commitment to contestants continuing their fitness journey, Planet Fitness also provides contestants and a member of their family with one-year memberships.
Jennie-O returns to the series for its 13th season offering viewers smart eating tips in on-air integrations and Biggest Loser-approved recipes featuring JENNIE-O® Turkey co-developed with the show nutritionist, Cheryl Forberg, RD, available on the Jennie-O website (www.jennieo.com/?).
"The Biggest Loser: GLORY Days," premieres Thursday, Sept. 11 (8-10 p.m. ET) with 20 former athletes, including NFL players and Olympic gold medalists who will aim to change their lives. The contestants will work with new trainers JESSIE Pavelka and Jennifer Widerstrom, as well as veteran trainers Dolvett Quince and Bob Harper. Alison Sweeney returns as host.
Season 16 of "The Biggest Loser" will also feature trainer Bob Harper in an exciting new role, giving contestants a second chance at life on the show. Just when the eliminated contestant each week thinks they are headed home, they will actually be whisked away to a secret location called "Comeback Canyon." There they will be trained by Harper, competing at a separate secret weekly weigh-in for the chance to return to the competition and a shot at "The Biggest Loser" title and $250,000 grand prize.
"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Shine America and 25/7 Productions. Ben Silverman, Dave Broome, Eden Gaha, Alex Katz, Joel Relampagos, Paul Franklin, JD Roth and Todd A. Nelson are the executive producers.
"The Biggest Loser" is licensed by Universal Partnerships & Licensing in association with Shine America, the producers of "The Biggest Loser."
About Shine America
Shine America is the U.S. division of Shine Group, an award-winning global production and distribution organization with 27 production companies across 11 countries. Shine America is a leading television studio that creates inspired and compelling programming including current unscripted series MasterChef (FOX), MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (FOX), THE BIGGEST LOSER (NBC), MINUTE TO WIN IT (GSN), The Face (Oxygen), RESTAURANT STARTUP (CNBC) and FAKE OFF (TruTV). Scripted series include Peabody Award-winning The Bridge (FX), as well as upcoming dramas GRACEPOINT (FOX) and UTOPIA (HBO).
Shine America incorporates several divisions including unscripted format label Ardaban, which develops and distributes original content to the U.S. marketplace. The global Shine 360? division builds brands through the leveraging of its intellectual property and creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. Shine Group's distribution arm, Shine International, distributes Shine America's extensive library of programming and formats to more than 150 countries.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
Universal Partnerships & Licensing (UP&L) oversees NBCUniversal's consumer product licensing, film, home entertainment and television promotions, and corporate alliances for Universal's theatrical, home entertainment, television, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the company's vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is 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. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, world-renowned theme parks, and a suite of leading Internet-based businesses. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.