The Biggest Loser
Fitness game of the NBC telly show.
AGOURA HILLS, Calif. – May 28, 2009 – THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) today announced that The Biggest Loser interactive health and fitness video game is currently in development exclusively for Wii™ and Nintendo DS™ and is scheduled for release this fall. The Biggest Loser video game is based on the highly rated NBC television show and will feature the expertise of trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels who will provide comprehensive workouts and nutrition goals to help players transform their lives through diet and exercise. The video game will also include Alison Sweeney, host of The Biggest Loser TV show. The Biggest Loser video game is being developed and released through a license agreement with NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group and Reveille LLC.
“NBC’s The Biggest Loser show has transformed so many lives across the globe,” said Randy Shoemaker, vice president, global brand management, THQ. “The Biggest Loser video game will help Nintendo players everywhere achieve that same success at home. The video game offers fun, innovative work-out routines and functions as a complete, personalized health and fitness experience, giving players the tools they need to change their bodies and change their lives.”
“The hardest part of getting in shape and staying fit is knowing what to do, as well as maintaining the desire to stick with it,” said Bob Harper, The Biggest Loser trainer. “The Biggest Loser video game incorporates years of research and proven results taken from The Biggest Loser television show. This program offers personalized fitness and nutrition goals to give players the tools they need to lose weight and keep it off. ”
“We are really proud to be able to introduce this video game as part of the great line of product affiliated with ‘The Biggest Loser,’” said Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President, NBC Universal Television, DVD, Music and Consumer Products Group. “This video game presents an opportunity for the whole family to exercise and get fit, while having fun together.”
"The Wii is the perfect video game platform for The Biggest Loser, as it encourages activity and motivation,” said Mark Koops, Managing Director at Reveille, the production company behind The Biggest Loser. “The video game not only offers a really fun way to work out, but it also provides users with an effective weight loss tool to help them meet their personal goals. It is a perfect complement to our existing Biggest Loser lifestyle products."
About The Biggest Loser Video Game
The Biggest Loser video game is a fun and engaging way for players to get in shape and maintain their ideal fitness. Set at The Biggest Loser ranch, players can take The Biggest Loser challenge and compete in 4, 8 or 12 week programs against former contestants from the television show, or workout with a friend to form a support system to see who really is The Biggest Loser. Players will work-out to a series of structured routines with special weekly challenges, weigh-ins and eliminations, or they can even create their own workouts. Workouts include upper, lower and core body exercises, as well as cardio and yoga exercises. Progress is documented on a calendar that keeps track of in-game achievements, upcoming training and weigh-in dates. Players can also receive credit for any progress made while not playing the video game, such as going for a walk or a bike ride.
The video game also features 50 healthy recipes from the BiggestLoserClub.com and The New York Times best-selling book series The Biggest Loser to help users learn how to eat right for optimal weight loss. Throughout the Wii workout program, suggestions and tips from contestants and trainers will also help guide players as they transform their lives via diet and exercise. The video game also features an interactive calorie counter that tracks what players are eating and recommends their daily intake based on individual goals.
When paired together, the Wii and Nintendo DS games become powerful training partners with the Nintendo DS serving as a portable tool that can be used to count calories, as well as serve up healthy recipe suggestions on the go. Players can take their ‘trainer’ with them for food, exercise and diet tips that encourage them to stick to their fitness goals no matter where they are. To find out more information on The Biggest Loser video game, go to www.biggestloserthegame.com.
About The Biggest Loser
The first reality series where everybody "loses," The Biggest Loser challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney (Days of our Lives), the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "the biggest loser." Each team works out under the supervision of professional trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper. The Biggest Loser is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.
Beyond the U.S. where more than 100 episodes of the show have aired, The Biggest Loser has become a worldwide hit appearing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. Since its debut in 2004, The Biggest Loser has grown to become a standalone health and lifestyle brand by developing tools and products inspired by the show and approved by its doctors and experts. Anchored by the online, subscription-based extension of the show, Biggestloserclub.com, The Biggest Loser Meal Plan, The New York Times best-selling books series, best-selling fitness DVD series, a line of appliances, fitness equipment, protein supplements and countless other health and lifestyle based products, The Biggest Loser consumer products program has generated over $50 million in spending with presence at more than 25,000 major retailers to date. The Biggest Loser was recognized as a top brand of the year in Advertising Age’s 2008 Marketing 50. Check out www.biggestloser.com for more information.
About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group
NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.
Reveille
Reveille is a leading independent television studio with a major presence in scripted and unscripted television and digital entertainment, and a world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. Reveille’s scripted entertainment programming includes “The Office” and “Kath and Kim” (NBC), “Ugly Betty” (ABC) and “The Tudors” (Showtime). The company’s roster of highly successful reality programming includes “The Biggest Loser”, “American Gladiators”, and “Nashville Star” (NBC), “30 Days” (FX), “Parental Control” (MTV) and many more. Through its distribution arm, ShineReveille International, Reveille distributes its extensive library of high-quality programming, along with a broad array of programming acquired from independent producers and U.S. networks, to more than 150 countries. Reveille is part of the Shine Group, one of the world's foremost multinational entertainment and drama companies. The Shine Group also includes UK independent producers Kudos, Princess, Dragonfly and Shine TV.
About THQ
THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) is a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company develops its products for all popular game systems, personal computers and wireless devices. Headquartered in Los Angeles County, California, THQ sells product through its global network of offices located throughout North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. More information about THQ and its products may be found at www.thq.com. THQ and its respective logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of THQ Inc.
Nintendo DS and Wii are trademarks of Nintendo.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the business of THQ Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as “THQ”), including, but not limited to, expectations and projections related to The Biggest Loser video game, and are based upon management’s current beliefs and certain assumptions made by management. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, business, competitive, economic, legal, political and technological factors affecting our industry, operations, markets, products or pricing. Readers should carefully review the risk factors and the information that could materially affect THQ’s financial results, described in other documents that THQ files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal period ended March 31, 2009, and particularly the discussion of risk factors set forth therein. Unless otherwise required by law, THQ disclaims any obligation to update its view on any such risks or uncertainties or to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.