"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" is an international television game show franchise originally created by David Briggs, Mike Whitehill, and Steven Knight in Britain. The format involves contestants answering a series of multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty to win large cash prizes, with the top prize typically being one million in the local currency (e.g., $1 million in the U.S., £1 million in the U.K.)

. The American version premiered on ABC on August 16, 1999, hosted initially by Regis Philbin. Contestants answer questions to win up to $1,000,000. The show has had multiple hosts over the years and has been revived several times, including a 25th Anniversary season in 2024

. The British original aired from 1998 to 2014 and was revived in 2018 with Jeremy Clarkson as host

. The game is known for its lifelines such as "Phone a Friend" and catchphrases like "Is that your final answer?" It has been adapted in about 100 countries, making it one of the most successful and widely recognized quiz shows worldwide

. In the U.S., notable top prize winners include Kevin Smith (2003), Nancy Christy (the only female winner), David Chang (2020), and Ike and Alan Barinholtz (2024), the latter being the first team to win the top prize

. There is also a free online version of the game that mimics the TV show format, allowing players to test their knowledge and attempt to "win" virtual money by answering 15 questions of increasing difficulty

. In summary, "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?" is a globally popular quiz show where contestants answer progressively harder questions to win up to one million dollars or the equivalent in their country, with a rich history of television success and cultural impact