Wednesday, January 16, 2008

For Immediate Release

The Contender Asia commences filming in Singapore with twice-weekly fight nights set to be hottest ticket in town.

September 5, 2007, Singapore Sixteen of the best Muay Thai fighters in the world have commenced their journey to be The Contender in the inaugural season of The Contender Asia. Filming for the groundbreaking reality series began in Singapore this week at the purpose-built The Contender House with the first fight night held this evening at an adjoining arena, witnessed by an audience of 400 including VIP guests and media.

Riaz Mehta, Chief Executive Officer of Imagine Omnimedia is Executive Producer of the 15-episode reality TV series. Reality TV maestro Mark Burnett and C. Scot Cru of Mark Burnett Productions are Executive Producer and Co-Executive Producer respectively.

Imagine Omnimedia has forged a historic partnership with Mark Burnett Productions and DreamWorks SKG and this is the first time a reality TV series is filmed in Singapore and produced by a local media company, a venture made possible by Singapore's Media Development Authority facilitating the financing from Asian banking specialist, DBS Bank.

The fighters who come from 14 different nations represent the cream of the crop in Muay Thai's middleweight division. The fighters moved into The Contender House during the weekend and in accordance with the format of the show, have been divided into two groups. Each week's filming will follow the fighters as they live and work with each other, with the pinnacle being the elimination face-off in the ring. Fighters eliminated on a weekly basis until the final fight when only one Contender will be let standing.

The Contender Asia will be hosted by Australian-Chinese actress Jaymee Ong and Stephan Fox, the International Co-ordinator and Vice-President of the World Muay Thai Council. Several international and regional stars will also be making special appearances in the show throughout the season. The Contender Asia is scheduled to debut on AXN this December.

The Contender Asia is directed by internationally acclaimed Jerry Schafer complemented by local talents and senior producers from Mark Burnett Productions.

The Contender Asia fight nights will be held every Wednesday and Saturday from today till October 20. Attendance for the first week is by invitation only.

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