News & Press
TLC Takes Viewers Inside the Fastest Growing Sport in America With New Series Beyond the Bull
(SILVER SPRING, Md.) — Based on a Scarborough Sports Marketing survey, the number of people who watched or attended a Professional Bull Rider (PBR) event ballooned by 52 percent from 2002 to 2004, making it the fastest-growing professional sport in America. And — with a fan base of 16 million — the dynamic sport that officially broke off of the rodeo circuit in 1992 is commanding new audiences across the nation and the world.
TLC taps into the adrenaline of the PBR Built Ford Tough® Series tour, where 45 competitors battle each other and their bovine athletes throughout the year to garner a million dollar prize and the championship title, with a 10-part series, BEYOND THE BULL, which debuts Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 9 PM (ET/PT). If the riders are lucky, they can stay on the bull for a full eight seconds to qualify for monetary prizes; if not, they fall in the rankings and walk away without a dime. With access to never-before-seen moments of the tour, TLC's BEYOND THE BULL takes fans and novices alike into the fast-paced world of professional bull riding. Viewers will see these riders as they work hard to prepare for each tournament, play hard to blow off steam, embrace fame and adoring fans, manage their careers and professional obligations, and battle their own fears on the dirt and in their lives.
BEYOND THE BULL spotlights three riders as they compete, chase the purse and tempt fate. Each leads a hectic life – balancing careers, families and children, and battling personal demons and fears. And with every bull he mounts, each rider risks broken bones, dashed dreams and a crushed ego. Viewers will meet dashing young Australian Brendon Clark, who navigates through his third season on the circuit; cattle rancher and newly engaged J.W. Hart, who has been successful but hasn't reached the championship pinnacle; and veteran family man and Brazilian native Adriano Moraes, who is vying for an unprecedented third crown. In addition to the riders themselves, BEYOND THE BULL also follows PBR medical director Dr. Tandy Freeman; J.W.'s fiancé LeAnn Stilley; Adriano's wife Flavia Moraes; and Brendon's girlfriend Anna Hunt.
"In launching a series like BEYOND THE BULL, we turn our lens on a group of men who have a passion for life — and risk it — each and every weekend," noted TLC executive vice president and general manager David Abraham. "BEYOND THE BULL is a natural addition to TLC's programming slate as these stories touch viewers and ignite an appreciation for living life to its fullest while engaging in one of the world's most dangerous sports."
PBR CEO Randy Bernard added, "BEYOND THE BULL is going to be a wild ride. We're excited that television viewers will finally get a chance to see behind-the-scenes of the action and drama of the PBR."
In bull riding, you could win one million dollars if you can hang on to a bucking bull for eight seconds. But is it worth the risk of injury and possible death with a wild animal? As Dr. Tandy Freeman, chief physician of PBR, notes,"it's not if you'll get hurt, but when… and how badly."
Viewers can access more information on BEYOND THE BULL and its risk-taking athletes at www.tlc.com/beyondthebull.
BEYOND THE BULL is produced by Authentic Entertainment for TLC. For Authentic Entertainment, Tom Rogan and Lauren Lexton are executive producers. For TLC, Julie Rose McCully is executive producer
