"China's variety show industry has experienced an unprecedented expansion in the last four or five years, propelling producers to seek new formats. We think that basketball, as a much-loved sport, will be an appealing theme to draw a bigger audience," says Peng, who's been a diehard basketball fan, obsessed with NBA legends since his adolescence.
"With their stunning skills and strong will etched in my mind for many years, I've always dreamed of inviting some iconic stars to a reality show, enabling an audience to see a lesser-known side of them off the court," says Peng.
His wish was fulfilled in the second season, with former NBA players Nick Young and Dwyane Wade.
Unfortunately, the third season was seriously affected by the COVID-19 outbreak, causing a two-month delay in filming, which only started in early September. The production crew also faced further obstacles, including having to wait for players returning from other countries to finish their quarantine.
"Basketball has an ability to make people feel positive and energetic. That helps us to cope with those challenges," says Peng.
Echoing his words, former basketball star Wang says the show provides an influential platform for young players, helping them make a name for themselves among a larger group of fans and basketball club managers.
"The athletes are the best ambassadors for their sport. I hope the show will raise and expand the popularity of basketball to more youngsters," says Wang.
That appeal seems to have already been answered. On the micro-blogging platform Sina Weibo, Dunk of China's third season has already netted a positive response, accumulating 6 billion "clicks" on related topics.
On review platform Douban, upon which the show has achieved a score of 7.8 points out of 10, one online fan comments: "If there was a variety show that can make a female audience scream and give a male audience the impetus to rush outdoors to play basketball, I believe Dunk of China has made it."
