NBC has sized up a sixth season of its hit weight loss series "The Biggest Loser," it was announced today by Craig Plestis, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Development and Specials, NBC Entertainment.

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"The current 'couples' season of "The Biggest Loser" has been one of the best and most compelling so far in this important franchise," said Plestis. "We look forward to continuing to inspire and entertain viewers with more remarkable and life-changing weight loss stories."

"'The Biggest Loser' has become a year-round success story for NBC," said executive producer Mark Koops. "We're excited to continue making great primetime TV while inspiring and motivating millions of Americans to live healthier lives."

"It has been so satisfying to watch this franchise continue to grow," said executive producer JD Roth, "and season six will be another opportunity to tell powerful, transformative stories of Americans getting their lives back in a healthy, positive way."

"It's an amazing feeling to produce a show that has changed so many lives around the world, and our sixth season is going to be the most fun and inspirational yet," said executive producer Dave Broome.

In keeping with the success of the "team" theme in season 5, the new season will feature couples, but this time producers will be heading to America's fattest cities to search for contestants. "Couples" can include family members (parent with adult child, siblings, cousins, etc.), best friends and co-workers, people who already have a special bond so they're playing not only for themselves, but also for their loved ones.

"The Biggest Loser 5" is off to its strongest start since the show's initial cycle in the fall of 2004, topping the previous three "Biggest Loser" editions despite airing over the last four weeks against Fox's "American Idol." Over those weeks, "The Biggest Loser" has lifted NBC 40 percent in adults 18-49 above what the network averaged on the same nights last year opposite "American Idol." In fact, on Tuesday, Jan. 15, "The Biggest Loser 5" delivered NBC's highest 18-49 rating ever (3.0) against a regular two-hour telecast of "American Idol" (excluding Olympics). For its six telecasts through February 5, "The Biggest Loser 5" is averaging a 3.9 rating, 9 share in adults 18-49 and 9.3 million viewers overall.

Alison Sweeney (NBC's "Days of our Lives") hosts the popular weight loss series, and contestants work out under the supervision of professional trainers Bob Harper and Jillian Michaels. The first reality series in which everybody "loses," "The Biggest Loser" challenges and encourages overweight participants to undergo physical makeovers, without any kind of surgery, in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000.

The series has become a worldwide hit airing in over 90 countries and produced in 25 countries. It has produced a New York Times best-selling book series with four titles currently and a fifth book slated to hit stands in March 2008. The show also has two #1 selling fitness DVDs, with two more DVDs released on December 18, 2007, as well as a burgeoning online lifestyle club www.thebiggestloserclub.com.

"The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions. Ben Silverman (NBC's "The Office," "Ugly Betty"), Dave Broome ("A Model Life with Petra Nemcova," "Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope"), JD Roth ("Age of Love," "Beauty and the Geek"), Todd A. Nelson ("Unan1mous," "Beauty and the Geek") and Mark Koops ("American Gladiator," "Shear Genius") serve as executive producers.