NBC, slow to join the "reality" bandwagon, is about to connect in a big way by paying $40 million for a 13-15 episode series in which the winning contestant is sent to the Russian Mir space station, Daily Variety reported today (Tuesday). The series, Destination Mir, will follow a group of contestants as they learn what it takes to become a space traveler. It is due to be produced by Mark Burnett, creator of CBS's hit series, Survivor. NBC Entertainment president Garth Ancier told the trade paper, "With every network buying reality shows, including us, this was something that took (the genre) to the next level. It's a completely original idea. Nobody else is going to do another space shot."

Source: Studio Briefing