The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best

The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best is a reality show for Fox's 2004–05 season.

Premise

The premise for the series was that billionaire Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, challenges 16 contestants to tasks that will prove to him which is most qualified to take over as president of Virgin. This format is strongly derivative of popular NBC reality show The Apprentice, though as well as business-related tasks it also incorporated many tough physical challenges, reflecting Branson's love of daredevil stunts. Each week also saw the contestants travel to a different country, whereas The Apprentice is just situated in one area. Shawn Nelson was the winner.

Presentation

The one-hour show premiered on November 9, 2004 on the Fox network, and aired 12 episodes through January 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Although the show had over 5.5 million viewers, it was considered a ratings disappointment for American television prime-time programming.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The show found ratings success internationally though, airing in 19 countries around the world, ranking as the #1 show in many countries where Richard Branson does business.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Rebel Billionaire also reran on the Fox Reality Channel.

Contestants

(as they appeared on the show & in order of elimination)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Contestant	Occupation
Shawn Nelson (Winner)	Founder of LoveSac Corporation
Sara Blakely	Founder of Spanx, Inc.
Heather Maclean	Founder of Little Laureate Inc.
Gabriel Baldinucci	Real Estate Investor
Erica Vilardi	Model
Nicole Harvat	Labor Attorney
Candida Tolentino	Founder of Earth Cafe Living Foods
Steve Berke	Real Estate Manager/Tennis Pro
Jessica McCann	Former Owner of Sales Company
Michael Zindell	Wall Street Strategist
Jermaine Jamison	Technology Sales Specialist/Motivational Speaker
Sam Heshmati	Financial Analyst
Jennifer Grinspan	Radio Station Advertising Manager
Tim Hudson	Trial Attorney
Aisha Krump	Pharmaceutical sales representative
Spencer	Car Salesman

Broadcasting

Country	Broadcaster
Template:AUS	Channel Seven
Template:BEL	Plug TV
Template:BRA	FX
Template:CAN	Global TV
Template:CHN	International Channel Shanghai
Template:EGY	OTV
Template:EST	TV3
Template:HKG	TVB Pearl
Template:KEN	KTN
Template:LVA	TV3
Template:LTU	TV3
Template:MYS	8TV
Template:NZL	TV3
Template:PHI	Studio 23
Template:RSA	MNET Series
Template:SWE	TV8 (Broadcast during the end of 2007 and again from March 2009)
Template:TUR	FX
Template:UK	ITV2
Template:USA	Fox
Template:VEN	FX

External links

• [https://www.imdb.com/{{#if: 0412106

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• The Rebel Billionaire at Reality TV World
• Salon.com article about the show