MARK BURNETT SADDLES UP TO PRODUCE
TOUGHEST COWBOY TELEVISION SERIES
LOS ANGELES (May 13, 2008) - Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) has entered into an agreement to become the exclusive producer of the Toughest Cowboy television series beginning with the upcoming season. Toughest Cowboy is operated by Grit Rock Rodeo, a company jointly owned by AEG and Jac Sperling. This is the first venture undertaken as part of an overall partnership recently announced between AEG and MBP.
Now in its 2nd groundbreaking season, Toughest Cowboy is an exciting and revolutionary brand of rodeo designed as a live touring event that also brings the emotion, competition and toughness to television as a weekly series. Toughest Cowboy is not only popular with traditional rodeo fans, but has expanded the fan base to sports and entertainment fans alike. The Toughest Cowboy competition is an unprecedented test of endurance requiring cowboys to ride the three most physically demanding rodeo disciplines (bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding) in head-to-head competition carried out all in one night. At the conclusion of each event a winner is declared, with all of the participants additionally vying for the title of Toughest Cowboy Champion named at the end of the season.
"The American west and especially the American cowboy have been globally loved icons for decades," said Mark Burnett, President of MBP. "This series allows viewers to immerse themselves in the cowboy's world, where tough guys are truly tough. We will get to know these cowboys and their families, and can share their passion for the traditions of the west. After a heart stopping, edge of your seat competition, one cowboy will emerge as the toughest."
Discussions with networks and new sponsors have already begun for the upcoming seasons.
"The excitement of the Toughest Cowboy competition, combined with the great personalities and stories surrounding the competitors, makes Toughest Cowboy the perfect vehicle for Mark Burnett and his team," said Eric Stevens, President, AEG Live Events and Media. "Much like Mark did with The Contender, the high production values and sensibilities that he brings are destined to redefine yet another sport."
"Toughest Cowboy will now attract growing numbers of new non-rodeo fans because of the world-class storytelling genius of Mark Burnett," said Jac Sperling, Chairman and CEO of Grit Rock Rodeo. "We are proud to be partners with AEG and Mark, and look forward to connecting with millions of new enthusiastic fans in arenas and on TV sets around the world."
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company for primetime television, cable and the internet, and has produced 1,100 hours of television programming which regularly airs in over 70 countries around the world. MBP revolutionized television with hits such as Survivor (CBS), The Apprentice (NBC), The Contender (ESPN), Rock Star: INXS (CBS), the Steven Spielberg and Dreamworks Television co-production On The Lot (FOX), and the smash hit Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? (FOX) which is currently being produced in 51 countries. In the summer of 2007, MBP entered the world of Award Shows, when Mark Burnett served as executive producer for the 2007 MTV Movie Awards. Since 2001, MBP has garnered a total of 48 Emmy nominations and has won 4 People’s Choice Awards. Mark Burnett has been named one of the most influential people in the world by TIME magazine and named TV Guide’s most valuable player. He has won both BRANDWEEK’S Marketer of the Year Award and the prestigious ROSE D’OR FRAPA Format Award. In 2007, Mark Burnett was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame.
About Grit Rock Rodeo
Grit Rock Rodeo is one of the largest producers of live and televised rodeo events in the world. Grit Rock Rodeo owns the World’s Toughest Rodeo, a national touring rodeo that consists of World’s Toughest Bulls and Broncs and Toughest Cowboy. Toughest Cowboy, a revolution in the sport which features 12 cowboys riding head-to-head 3 times back-to-back in a performance, has been carried for the last two years on Fox Sports Net nationally. Grit Rock Rodeo also owns the license rights to the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, which is the premier Tour of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The 2008 Wrangler ProRodeo Tour and the Ariat Playoffs of the Tour will air nationally on Fox Sports Net and CBS Sports starting in September.
www.toughestcowboy.com
www.prorodeotour.com
www.bullsandbroncs.com
About AEG Live
AEG Live, one of the world's leading concert promotion and touring companies, is comprised of stand-alone affiliate divisions devoted to all aspects of live entertainment including, national and international special events and tours such as Prince, Usher, Kenny Chesney, Rod Stewart, Paul McCartney, the Eagles, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera, Dixie Chicks, Hannah Montana and American Idol. AEG Live is currently overseeing the international museum tour of the artifacts of King Tut “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” and produced Celine Dion A New Day…Presented By Chrysler, a spectacular theatrical production starring Dion and directed by Franco Dragone which just concluded an unprecedented five year “residency” at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. AEG Live co-produces the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and Goldenvoice, the company’s southern California-based regional promotion division created and operates the award winning annual Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
