UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., May 20 (UPI) -- NBC says it plans to start airing this summer "Siberia," a 1-hour drama series about contestants competing on a reality show in the former Soviet Union.
"In 1908, a meteor hit deep into the remote Siberian territory of Tunguska. Now, more than 100 years later, 16 contestants descend on Tunguska unknowing of the land's mysterious past. When a contestant is badly injured and no help arrives, the contestants are met with the chilling realization that the strange occurrences are not part of the show. With their safety threatened, competing contestants must band together in an effort to survive," a synopsis said.
From Sierra/Engine Television and Oscar-nominated producer Michael Ohoven's Infinity Films, "Siberia" will premiere on NBC July 1.
"NBC immediately saw the potential in 'Siberia' and this acquisition truly exemplifies the quality of this groundbreaking series. We are excited to bring it to their viewers," executive producer Chris Philip, who also serves as chief executive officer for Sierra/Engine Television, said in a statement Monday.
"We created the series as a dramatic human experiment shot under difficult conditions and we are thrilled to see it on NBC," said Ohoven.
"The concept of survival, when mysterious elements are at play, makes for a compelling show," said Jeff Bader, president of program planning, strategy and research for NBC Entertainment. "We believe a scripted series that offers an insightful behind-the-scenes view of how a reality concept comes together -- especially when things don't go according to plan -- will connect with our audience in a very satisfying way."
