Reality/game hybrid that rewired network schedules and minted Regis as quiz oracle.
Why it matters
Episode guide
450 episodes across 42 seasons — season-by-season catalog (titles and dates, not a recap dump).
At a glance
Contestants climb a cash ladder with lifelines while America yells answers at the screen. British format becomes a U.S. primetime occupation force in 1999.
Network & studio
- ABC — broadcast network
Why watch now
Watch for the cultural DNA of the 1990s — and the star power that made living rooms feel like red carpets.
Cultural impact
Reality/game hybrid that rewired network schedules and minted Regis as quiz oracle.
Creators
David Briggs · Mike Whitehill · Steven Knight
Key cast
- Regis Philbin as Host
Flash facts
- U.S. primetime premiere on ABC August 16, 1999, hosted by Regis Philbin.
- Adapted from the British format that debuted in 1998.
- Multi-night airings helped ABC dominate ratings at the turn of the millennium.
- Is that your final answer? entered permanent catchphrase rotation.
FAQ
What network aired Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire is associated with ABC (1999–present).
Why is Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in the TV Flash top 100 for the 1990s?
Reality/game hybrid that rewired network schedules and minted Regis as quiz oracle.
Who are the key names behind Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
Creators and principals include David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, Steven Knight.
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
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