LPWire: GSN Launches Millionaire Series with Four Hour Marathon, Oct 12

Game Show Network Acquires the Prime Time Game Show Hit Phenomenon 'Who Wants to Be A Millionaire' Hosted by Regis Philbin

Critically Acclaimed Series Begins Its Network Run Sunday, October 12 With a Special 'Super Millionaire Sunday' Four-Hour Marathon
Network Launches Complementary Interactive Play-Along Component With Original ABC Hit Series

The series which began the prime time game show craze, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, is joining Game Show Network's (GSN) lineup. The network has acquired the exclusive domestic distribution rights to the popular network hit show hosted by Regis Philbin, marking the first time the shows will be seen since their original airings. The deal includes the rights to several celebrity and professional athlete episodes as well as several million dollar winners. The announcement was made today by Bob Boden, Senior Vice President, Programming, GSN.

"We have always thought Who Wants to Be A Millionaire would be ideal for our air," said Boden. "We have had such tremendous success with THE WEAKEST LINK and GREED that we expect Who Wants to Be A Millionaire with Regis as host to be embraced wholeheartedly by our audience."

"Game Show Network is an ideal home for these episodes of primetime Who Wants to Be A Millionaire," said Jed Cohen, Senior Vice President/General Sales Manager, Western Region for Buena Vista Television. GSN is renowned for showcasing television's best-loved game shows, and these episodes of 'Millionaire' hold their own with the classics. They're just great television."

The Emmy award-winning hit series which originally aired in prime time on ABC debuts on GSN's schedule with a special "Super Millionaire Sunday" four-hour marathon Sunday, October 12 from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight ET/ 5:00-9:00 p.m. PT. The series will air on GSN every day, including weekends, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. and midnight PT, beginning Monday, October 13. Among some of the episodes Game Show Network will air during the premiere marathon are three Supermodel shows with such models as Carol Alt, Heidi Klum and Eva Herzigova as well as a special Super Bowl-themed show.

GSN is also adding another level of excitement for its interactive television players. Game Show Network is producing a complementary iTV component which will allow users to play-along with each telecast of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire in real time. As with other interactive shows produced by the industry's leader in interactive programming, GSN's broadcasts of Who Wants to Be A Millionaire will offer players the chance to answer each question that the "on-air" contestant receives and have the additional excitement and challenge of having bonus questions to answer. The top 10 users scores and their respective player names will be broadcast live on-air twice during each show. Players can test their skills against players all across the nation and at the same time be presented with the chance of winning prizes through the network's weekly interactive "Watch & Play Sweepstakes" promotion. Participants who log on and play one of the network's 13 iTV games will be automatically entered for a chance to win the "Watch & Play Sweepstakes." GSN's interactive games offer fun and excitement for its users 12 hours a day, seven days a week. To play-along with Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, participants log onto www.gsn.com while the show is airing on the network.

Who Wants to Be A Millionaire, based on the successful British program of the same name, burst onto the United States entertainment scene Aug. 16, 1999 and quickly rose to become the number-one prime time show on TV -- a feat that hadn't occurred since the 50's. The show soon became a part of the American fabric and added its unique phrases to the nation's collective literacy in the form of: "fastest finger," "lifelines" and, of course, the haunting question, "Is that your final answer?" The show was a huge ratings winner throughout its run and, in fact, averaged over 29 million viewers a night in the first season. The weekday version, hosted by Meredith Vieira, is heading into its second season in national syndication.

Who Wants to Be A Millionaire is produced by the Emmy Award-winning production team from Valleycrest Productions Limited. Michael Davies and Paul Smith are the executive producers.

Game Show Network (GSN) is the only U.S. television network dedicated to game programming and interactive game playing. As the industry leader in interactivity, GSN features 84 hours per week of interactive original programming and enhanced classics. This interactivity allows viewers to win prizes by playing along with GSN's televised games via gsn.com. Reaching over 51 million Nielsen homes, GSN is distributed in the U.S. through all major cable systems and satellite providers. The network is jointly owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Liberty Media Corporation.