Hong Kong – Celestial Tiger Entertainment (CTE) announced that it is embarking on its first original production since the company’s formation in January 2012. The reality series called R U Tough Enough?(RUTE) will go into production in April and air on CTE’s action entertainment channel KIX HD (and KIX) from late May to July. The series is based on a marketing campaign and competition of the same name which KIX HD launched in 2014 in Malaysia to search for “Malaysia’s Toughest.”
“The response from viewers and the media to our tough men and women competition last year was overwhelming. We found ten great contestants with ten incredible stories of endurance, resilience and tenacity. So this year, we are bringing R U Tough Enough? back as an original production as well as a competition,” said Betty Tsui, Vice President, Programming – KIX and Thrill, Celestial Tiger Entertainment. “We think the contestants’ back stories and the final showdown itself will make a compelling and highly entertaining show.”
Advertising sponsors who have already signed up for CTE’s first original production include Toyota and Fisherman’s Friend. Astro will also be an official partner for the series. And Celebrity Fitness, Everlast and GNC have signed on as promotional partners.
Hosting RUTE will be Malaysia’s own action hero, the one and only Aaron Aziz. Aaron, an award-winning film and TV actor, is the perfect embodiment of toughness and tenacity. He rose from a humble background, fought through life’s challenges and emerged a superstar.
“I am very excited to be working with Celestial Tiger Entertainment and KIX HD to host R U Tough Enough? This is the perfect program to showcase how tough Malaysian men and women can be. I hope we find some great contestants with some great stories to tell that will inspire all of us to be tough enough to handle life’s challenges,” said Aaron.
RUTE is being produced by Double Vision, the award-winning production company, based in Malaysia, with over 30 years of experience producing hit series and movies. Double Vision will produce 11 mini-episodes and a one-hour special on the finale. The mini-episodes are set to air on KIX HD in late May with the one-hour special premiering in July.
