'The Amazing Race' Host Phil Keoghan And New Teams Dish On Season 28 [EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS]

Last night the 11 latest teams to race around the world for the $1 million dollar prize on CBS's "The Amazing Race" gathered for an advance screening and panel discussion about the new season in Hollywood.

For the show's 28th season, producers have introduced some changes, most notably with the casting of the teams. With this season's teams all consisting of familiar faces from the world of social media, the producers are hoping their familiarity will translate into more viewers. However, simply having 7.7 million followers on your YouTube channel didn't guarantee an instant place on the race.

"First and foremost they have to be fans of the show, secondly it's an opportunity in a very cluttered landscape of content to try and reach new viewers," show host Phil Keoghan tells Headlines and Global News exclusively. "There's no point in having a guy that may have 10 million followers who may not care about 'The Amazing Race' and not be a captivating character."

The show did manage to find 22 very captivating characters who, thanks to their social media presence, appear very natural and likable from the get-go. Keoghan admits to having been familiar with a few of the team members' social media antics and in part has daughter Elle to thank for making him aware of others.

"I was familiar with Brodie [Smith] and Kurt [Gibson], the pro Frisbee players as my daughter loves this Frisbee tricks," he says with a laugh. "My 20-year-old daughter introduced me to a video that Zach King [Vine star magician] did with a Frisbee. I'd never heard of him before my daughter said, 'You have to see this guy.'"

Of the remaining teams, Keoghan says he heard of social media influencers Korey Kuhl and Tyler Oakley along with pro dance YouTube stars Dana Borriello and Matt Steffanina. "The others I didn't really know," he says. "But there are so many people that do know them."

Unlike previous seasons of the show, all teams having a common interest and a certain amount of awareness and respect for each other's work initially creates a feeling of camaraderie. Just don't expect it throughout the entire race.

"Everyone's from the Internet world so we are close, we did bond as friends as we all have that common interest," Vine star Darius Benson (who teams with his brother Cameron) tells Headlines & Global News. "But let's just say it does change pretty quick."

According to Vine star and teen heartthrob Cole LaBrant (who teams with his mother Sheri), there was some friction, but in the end it all worked out. "I definitely made new friendships," he tells Headlines & Global News exclusively. "I knew of a lot of people, but knew no one personally. Traveling the world without any social media distraction or anything, you get to connect. Of course there's friction, but not to the degree that producers probably wanted. This is a season where everyone really had so much fun with minimal drama."

Season 28 of "The Amazing Race" kicks off Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. And to check out last night's panel discussion, head to CBS.com following the premiere, where it will be streaming.

In the meantime, meet the 11 teams below:

Tyler Oakley and Korey Kuhl - Social Media Influencers

Relationship: Best Friends

Burnie Burns and Ashley Jenkins - YouTube Stars

Relationship: Dating

Erin White Robinson and Joslyn Davis - YouTube Hosts

Relationship: Best Friends

Sheri and Cole LaBrant - Vine Star

Relationship: Mother/Son

Zach and Rachel King - Vine Star

Relationship: Newlyweds

Dana Borriello and Matt Steffanina - YouTube Stars