Facebook in ring with NBC's "Gladiators"

By Alex Woodson

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC is launching an application on Facebook based on its "American Gladiators" series.

"The Official American Gladiator Challenge" will present interactive games based on the show's competitions, including Hit & Run, Pyramid and the Wall.

Users will be able to compete against their friends and the greater Facebook community and will be able to measure their success with a dashboard built into the application, which will feature scores, status, challenges and a leader board. One of the top prizes will include an official joust stick signed by the gladiators.

The revamped "Gladiators" premiered on NBC in January and will return for its second cycle Monday (May 12). The show is hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali.

Facebook opened its platform to developers May in 2007, and the destination currently features a wide array of applications. CBS Sports, ABC News and Paramount all have launched applications on the social-networking giant.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter