Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Continues Strong Performance

LONDON: The hit game-show format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? continues to find success around the globe, with new sales, anniversary specials and a spin-off series, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Hot Seat.

To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Millionaire, RTL in Germany hosted a special star-studded extravaganza on September 25, featuring best-of moments and former high-profile contestants and winners. The show was a success for RTL, with 8.6 million viewers tuning in, a 34.4-percent share of all adults. The U.S. also celebrated the Millionaire‘s 10th anniversary, with a special two-week event on ABC in August.

The spin-off Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Hot Seat has become a ratings hit in Australia, coming in as the number one daytime program this summer on Nine Network. The show has also been a hit in Norway on TV2 and Italy on Canale 5. 

Ahead of MIPCOM, Sony Pictures Television’s 2waytraffic International firmed up licensing agreements for the format with MBC in the Middle East to air in more than 20 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Lebanon. Local versions of Who Want To Be A Millionaire? are set to premiere on Ecuavisa in Ecuador and on Medcom in Panama and across the Middle East beginning in early 2010.

Ed Louwerse, the managing director of 2waytraffic International, said: “We are thrilled with Millionaire’s most recent performance on RTL. Year after year, the continued strengthening of the Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? brand underscores the long-lasting appeal of this format and its winning formula for broadcasters. The format is truly an international, well-established brand that broadcasters can trust to attract long-term viewers and build advertising revenue.”