GSN ANNOUNCES CHAMPIONS OF "THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE"
Team Judson's Legacy of Irvine, CA Wins a Total of $140,000
For Krabbe Disease Research Charity
Santa Monica, CA - October 19, 2012 - The season finale of GSN's new hit show, THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE has revealed Team Judson's Legacy as the champions of the entire tournament. After winning two rounds of the intense competition, Team Judson's Legacy of Irvine, CA, went on to beat two other teams in the finale, winning a total of $140,000 for their partner charity, Hunter's Hope.
"Competing in and ultimately winning The American Bible Challenge tournament in honor of Judson is an indescribable gift," said Christina Levasheff of Judson's Legacy. "On a personal level it brings such joy and redemption out of our deep pain and loss. On a broader scale the $140,000 will help raise awareness of Krabbe leukodystrophy and fund advances in myelin repair which can impact many--not simply kids who have a leukodystrophy like the one that took the life of our boy, but also people with multiple sclerosis and stroke victims too. We're thrilled The American Bible Challenge is enabling Judson's Legacy to give hope to those who suffer!"
Team Judson's Legacy consists of married couple Drake and Christina Levasheff and their friend Dean Bobar. After being told it would be difficult for them to bear children, Christina and Drake were blessed with their baby boy Judson in 2004, who even as a toddler developed a love for the Bible. At the age of 29 months, Judson experienced the onset of Krabbe Leukodystrophy, a rare and fatal disease for which there is no cure. He passed away just short of his 3rd birthday. They met Dean during this life changing time and have remained close ever since. Inspired by their son, Drake and Christina have a ministry, Judsons' Legacy, that shares God's compassion with those who suffer. It also funds research for Krabbe disease through their partner charity Hunter's Hope, which they selected for their winnings, intending to help fund a myelin repair lab at the Hunter James Kelly Research Institute in honor of Judson.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, produced by RelativityREAL, garnered the network's highest delivery in its 17-year history with 1.7 million total viewers for its August 23rd series premiere. Factoring in the encore airing, the premiere episode was watched by over 2 million viewers. Since its debut, the series continues to grow and has now been seen by over 12 million total viewers. The series, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, was recently renewed for a second season set to air in 2013.
The success of the show has extended to digital and social platforms with the launch of THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE GAME for iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle and Facebook, which currently has over 5 million gameplays, over 400,000 users and ranks as the #1 Bible trivia game. The game is also among the top 10 free trivia games on the iPhone.
Casting information for season two is now available on GSNTV.COM.
THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE is produced by RelativityREAL for GSN, with RelativityREAL's Tom Forman ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition") and Embassy Row's Michael Davies ("The Newlywed Game," "The Pyramid" "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire") serving as Executive Producers on the project. Nick Stuart and Maura Dunbar of Odyssey Networks are Consulting Producers. Odyssey Networks is the country's largest multi-faith coalition dedicated to producing and distributing media that creates understanding among people of different beliefs and perspectives. Jeff Foxworthy also serves as Producer with J.P. Williams and Jennifer Novak as Executive Producers.
About THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE
Comedian and author Jeff Foxworthy hosts THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, a one-hour game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible. Utilizing current as well as historical references, questions are drawn from the rich, dense narrative found in the world's best-selling book. The contestants share their compelling back-stories and each team plays for a charity.
About GSN
GSN is a multimedia entertainment company that offers original and classic game programming and competitive entertainment via its 75-million subscriber television network and online game sites. GSN's cross-platform content gives game lovers the opportunity to win cash and prizes, whether through GSN's popular TV game shows or through GSN Digital's free casual games, mobile and social games, and cash competitions. GSN is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. GSN and its subsidiary, WorldWinner.com, Inc., are owned by DIRECTV and Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, visit GSN at GSNTV.COM.
About RelativityREAL
Under the leadership of award-winning producer Tom Forman ("Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Kid Nation,") Relativity's television arm launched in June 2008. The division has quickly become one of the country's largest suppliers of unscripted television. RelativityREAL currently has 70 projects in active production, including 17 original series. In addition, the division is developing a slate of scripted sitcoms, dramas, and sketch comedy series to be released in the upcoming year. Most recently, RelativityREAL partnered with YouTube and will be launching a channel in the fall. RelativityREAL's executive ranks are bolstered by overall production deals with TV veterans Jay Blumenfield and Tony Marsh, Ashley Tisdale's Blondie Girl Productions, executive producer Ellen Rakieten ("The Oprah Winfrey Show") and Ray Ricord.
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