CNBC trying its first game show

Business news cable network CNBC, facing competition beginning in October from Fox Business Network, is launching a game show featuring MBAs from around the country, writes David Bauder of the Associated Press.

Bauder wrote, “‘Fast Money MBA Challenge,’ which premieres Aug. 1 and runs for four hourlong episodes once a week, is both a summertime diversion and an attempt to attract young viewers to a network more accustomed to boardrooms than surf boards.

“CNBC also hopes it works out better than its recent off-air contest ‘Million Dollar Portfolio Challenge.’ Won by a waitress from Ohio, it attracted 377,000 participants but was plagued by disqualifications for cheating.

“The MBA challenge pits 32 students in teams from eight colleges testing their business acumen. Modeled after the 1960s era ‘GE College Bowl’ game, the winning team splits $200,000 to be used for college costs.

“‘It’s a way to get a new audience interested in our core content,’ said Mark Hoffman, CNBC’s chief executive. ‘It’s a fun way to deal with similar themes that we deal with every day.'”

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