MTV Sets Date for 'The Challenge' Dedicated to Diem Brown, Ryan Knight

MTV has officially announced the premiere date for The Challenge: Battle of the Exes II, a season the network is dedicated to late cast members Diem Brown and Ryan Knight, who recently passed away mere weeks from one another.

It's the 26th season of the reality competition will premiere on Jan. 6, 2015, at 11:00 PM ET, and will feature exes teaming up to battle other teams of exes for a $350,000 grand prize. The new season will also feature a midseason twist dubbed “Battle of the Ex-iled,” in which eliminated partners have the chance to return to the competition.

Chris "CT" Tamburello had been set to team with Brown, his former ex. But she collapsed during filming and was later admitted to the hospital. She passed away on Nov. 14 at age 34 following her third battle with cancer. Similarly, Knight was set to team up with his ex, and former Real World: New Orleans housemate, Jemmye Carroll. But that is now tragically off the table, as Knight passed away on Nov. 27 at age 29. It's uncertain how much of their footage the network will show, but it seems MTV is proceeding with the season as planned.

In addition to the new season being partially dedicated to her memory, MTV will remember Diem Brown with a special titled We <3 Diem on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 9:00 PM ET.

“Since debuting on MTV’s The Challenge in 2006 and battling cancer three times in the public eye, Diem Brown has become a role model for her courage and positivity to thousands of fans,” the network said in a statement. “We’ve followed her through her unwavering attempts to win a Challenge and her infamous on/off relationship with fellow cast mate and longtime love CT, while simultaneously combating her disease off-camera. In We <3 Diem, we look back at Diem’s powerful journey, giving tribute to her perseverance and strength through it all.”

Via: Entertainment Weekly

Credit: Ian Spanier/MTV