Lions Gate Home Entertainment and NBC Universal Bring to Home Video Two All-New Workout Programs Based on the Incredibly Popular NBC Reality Television Series 'The Biggest Loser'

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lions Gate Home Entertainment (LGHE), a division of Lions Gate Entertainment Toronto, has acquired the exclusive North American home video distribution rights from NBC Universal to two, all-new workout DVDs based on the incredibly popular reality television series "The Biggest Loser." Pursuant to the agreement, LGHE will market and distribute these fitness DVDs that will feature many of the faces, including celebrity trainer Bob Harper, from season one and upcoming season two of the NBC television reality series. Consumers can now shed excess weight and become the biggest winner by being "the biggest loser" at home with fun exercises and support from the cast. The first DVD will be released into stores December 20, 2005 following the TV airing of the second season on NBC in September, and the second DVD will be released in 2006. The announcement was made today by Steve Beeks, President, Lions Gate Entertainment.

One of the industry leaders in fitness videos, LGHE was chosen by NBC Universal to distribute these DVDs based on its wealth of knowledge in this area. Over the years, LGHE has represented and continues to represent top names and properties in the fitness industry, including #1 fitness expert Denise Austin, the Stott Pilates(TM) series, the Wai Lana Yoga exercise video series and Paula Abdul's Get Up and Dance. Overall, LGHE owns an 8.5 percent market share for fitness product.(1)

"'The Biggest Loser' was one of the most talked about shows of the year, drawing huge ratings and a large and loyal fan base. With The Biggest Loser: The Workout DVD, real people with real issues are featured, giving viewers the confidence to achieve their weight loss goals through encouragement and support," said Beeks. "This program is a perfect addition to our library of high profile fitness products."

"Millions of viewers were able to watch the contestants get in shape and have been asking us to give them the tools to apply the Biggest Loser lifestyle to their own lives, now they can with 'The Biggest Loser' workout DVDs," says Kim Niemi, Senior Vice President, Video, Music and Product Development, NBC Universal Television Distribution. "And Lions Gate Home Entertainment, with its proven track record in the fitness category, is the perfect partner to handle the distribution on the DVDs."

"We couldn't be more thrilled to have Lions Gate on board with us as a partner. The BIGGEST LOSER exercise video will allow millions of people who have been inspired by the show a chance to change their lives," said Dave Broome, Executive Producer and Co-Creator of The Biggest Loser.

In the first program, Harper, who has trained the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Stiller, will perform a workout regiment for the contestants from season one and season two that can be followed by viewers at home. Having been in the business for a number of years, Harper has motivated numerous individuals to tackle internal and external battles of personal fitness as he specializes in educating clients on muscle strength, toning, weight loss and nutritional renovation. Season one contestants who Harper will train include 29-year old pharmaceutical sales rep Andrea Baptiste and 40-year old finalist Gary Deckmen. The season two contestants are Andrea Overstreet (28), Suzy Preston (28), Matt Hoover (28) and Seth Word (24).

About The Biggest Loser

"The Biggest Loser," the fascinating, unscripted, weight-loss reality show, aired for the first time in October 2004 on NBC and will be back for a second round in September 2005. Former talk-show host, stand-up comedian and actress Caroline Rhea hosts the show and is joined by celebrity trainers Jillian Michaels and Harper. Each season, 14 contestants compete to lose the most weight in the specified timeframe to become "the biggest loser." In this hour-long, life-altering show, goals are achieved through arduous activities, powerful temptations and with the help of some friends. Those who are unable to keep up in the competition are eliminated. Each week, viewers will follow the participants as they improve their health, increase self-esteem, transform their bodies, and overall, create better lives for themselves. Oh, and the winner receives $250,000!

NBC Universal

NBC Universal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. Its NBC Universal Television Distribution division is responsible for the global distribution of NBC Universal product to all forms of television throughout the world. This includes distribution of current and library film and television product in the pay, free, and basic markets, as well as the domestic syndication of first-run syndicated TV programs and theatrical and TV movie packages.

Lions Gate Home Entertainment

Lions Gate is the premier independent producer and distributor of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment and video-on-demand content. Its prestigious and prolific library is one of the largest in the entertainment industry. The Lions Gate brand name is synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

(1) Market share courtesy of Nielsen VideoScan Contact: Sarah Greenberg /Jodie Magid Lions Gate Entertainment 310-255-3856 / 212-386-6885 sgreenberg@lgf.com/ jmagid@lgf.com Adam Fenton/Elizabeth Atler Bender/Helper Impact 212-689-6360 adam_fenton@bhimpact.com/ elizabeth_atler@bhimpact.com