ABC is set to bring back Who Wants to Be a Millionaire this summer. The network has given the green light for a new season of the iconic game show, which will premiere on July 10.
This revival coincides with the 25th anniversary of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’s debut on ABC, which originally aired on Aug. 16, 1999.
Jimmy Kimmel, who previously hosted the Millionaire revival on ABC in 2020 and 2021, will return as the host. The upcoming season will feature pairs of celebrities competing to win up to $1 million for charities of their choice.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is just one part of ABC’s summer lineup, which also includes The Bachelorette (July 8), Celebrity Family Feud (July 9), Claim to Fame (July 10), Judge Steve Harvey (July 16), Press Your Luck (July 18), and a new game show called Lucky 13 (July 18), co-hosted by Gina Rodriguez and Shaquille O’Neal.
Additionally, the network will broadcast the ESPY Awards on July 11.
Originating from a British game show, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire was originally hosted by Regis Philbin and quickly became a cultural phenomenon upon its ABC debut.
It introduced elements like dramatic lighting and music that became staples of game shows. The show enjoyed immense popularity, reaching a peak of 35.9 million viewers for an episode in May 2000.
However, its frequency led to a decline in viewership, resulting in cancellation as a regular series in 2002.
ABC has revived Millionaire twice before, first for a 10th-anniversary run in 2009 and then again in 2020 with Kimmel as host. Additionally, a syndicated version of the show aired from 2001 to 2019.
The production of Millionaire is handled by Sony Pictures Television’s Embassy Row and Kimmelot, with Michael Davies and Kimmel serving as executive producers.
