“Beat the Champions” is a special event program produced and aired by TV Asahi biannually since 2000, which has become a must watch show for every Japanese of all generation. And now the format is making its debut in the United States on prime time!

Fox Broadcasting Company will air the U.S. version of Beat the Champions on June 30th from 9 pm (Eastern Time) as a one-hour special.

The Japanese original format of “Beat the Champions” features the top Japanese comedy duo “Tunnels” and pits them against top athletes under unique rules and handicaps. In the US version, a popular American comedian takes a role of MC and amateurs but very confident athletes make their challenges against the celebrated top athletes.

The filming of the show has been completed at a high school in the suburbs of Los Angeles. And you can watch a trailer on FOX websites and other media.
(http://www.fox.com/beat-the-champions)

Many world-class athletes including Kei Nishikori, James Rodríguez and Tiger Woods have appeared on the show in the original Japanese version. And so are the lineups of the coming U.S. version. The super athletes featured in the show are, “Mr. Scotti Pippen”, a former member of the Chicago Bulls (basketball), Missy Franklin, an Olympic Gold Medalist (swimming), and Rob Gronkowski, a legendary star of American Football. All three star athletes had great fun competing under unique handicaps that you have never seen before.

TV Asahi has been working with the Swedish sales representative Eccho Rights to sell “Beat the Champions” in the international market. Following the United States, it is set to go on air in Germany this fall and further development in the international market including other Asian and European countries is expected.