SINGAPORE — Mass media and entertainment conglomerate Warner Bros. Discovery has partnered with British Oil and gas company Shell for a brand-new, adrenaline-filled show, Dare to Ride now airing on Discovery in Southeast Asia and India.
Dare to Ride showcases some of Asia’s most accomplished riders as they attempt to conquer the region’s most iconic routes with just their bikes, their wits, and their technical know-how. The show is narrated by Steve Crombie, a world-renowned professional adventure motorcyclist who has already conquered many extreme terrains and roads in Asia and around the globe.
VP Head of Factual & Lifestyle SEA and Head of Content Operations APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery, Lynn Ng, said, “Warner Bros. Discovery remains committed to championing local storytelling and homegrown talent and we are pleased to partner with Shell on a new series that showcases the beauty of Asia through a fresh perspective.
“Featuring the stunning sceneries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and India, Dare to Ride puts audiences in the front seat as renowned riders strive to overcome physical, geographical, and cultural obstacles. Combining adventure and emotion with unique histories, cultures, and landscapes, this is much more than a journey across Asia’s most challenging roads, it is also a journey of the soul.”
GM Consumer Road Sector at Shell Global Marketing, Elaine Chen, said, “At Shell, collaboration is one of our key attributes, and we’re very happy to collaborate with one of the biggest broadcast partners in the world, Warner Bros. Discovery, to showcase the courage of our passionate bikers to outride anything in Dare to Ride series. Most importantly, as part of our strategy to humanize the brand, we’d love our audience to experience the joy of new adventures along with their passion for riding because with Shell Advance, however, and wherever you ride, we are always here for you.”
MediaCom APAC plays a major role in being the enabling factor behind the collaboration. Regional Strategy Director, MediaCom APAC, Zeljana Unkovich, said, “We are delighted to have been able to bring together two of our key partners to create something beyond the boundaries of traditional media. This collaboration celebrates their shared pioneering spirit and invites audiences on the adventure at the same time.”
The first episode (premiered on June 25) takes audiences to Indonesia, where video journalist Arsal Bahtiar accepts the challenge of riding a scooter on an arduous journey to the top of Mount Bromo, an active volcano in East Java. The nail-biting episode unveils whether the motorbike, designed for city streets, can handle rocky roads, steep mountain trails, and a vast sandy desert.
Episode 2 (premieres on July 2) follows Pro Skateboarder Pa’din Musa across Malaysia as he tackles everything the jungle can throw at him with an underbone motorcycle, also known as “kapcai” in Malaysia, designed for everyday use on the roads. Pa’din puts the iconic vehicle through an ultimate off-road test as he takes it over rocky rivers, muddy trails, wet grass, and slippery slopes.
Episode 3 (premieres on July 9) sees Filipino radio and TV personality Samir Gogna (Sam YG) takes on the ride of his life with a journey from Manila to Dicasalarin Cove, one of the most beautiful spots in the Philippines. Riding a touring motorcycle through the scorching sun and pouring rain, the adrenaline junkie is pushed beyond his limits, fighting dehydration, exhaustion, and curveball challenges thrown at him along the way.
Episode 4 (premieres on July 16) brings audiences to Vietnam with Photojournalist Tran Tuan Viet, who will challenge his knowledge of Hanoi as he attempts to be a motorcycle tour guide for the day. Armed with only a vintage motorcycle and his wits, Viet takes three tourists on a trip filled with food, history and culture.
Episode 5 (premieres on July 23) takes viewers to Thailand, where actor and adventurer Ray MacDonald learns what it’s like to be a true hero of the streets, spending a day in the shoes, or wheels, of a Chiang Mai motorcycle delivery rider. As delivery riders depend upon their rating, even a single missed order can lose them time, money, and business. As such, Ray must be on high alert as he weaves through the mayhem of motor vehicles in Thailand to stand any chance of a 5-star review.
The final episode (premieres on July 20) sees bike-lover Fakira Tiwari tackle an epic 200km journey across India, traveling from the old to the new, from the mountainous terrain of Nashik to Mumbai’s Gateway of India, before sunset. Along the way, he must deliver a gift of books to a remote village school. He will face punishing village trails with long stretches of silence and isolation before hitting the chaotic and intimidating expressways of Mumbai.
Dare to Ride highlights Southeast Asia’s position as one of the world’s best places to motorcycle, as entertains and informs audiences of the region’s natural beauty, culture, and history. The show marks Warner Bros. Discovery’s first-ever partnership with Shell and reflects Warner Bros. Discovery’s reputation for quality entertainment and commitment to bringing more locally relevant content to audiences.
Dare to Ride is produced by HJ Production in association with Trifecta Collective Sdn Bhd. Executive producer is Henry Ambarita.
