The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed media and board games. The franchise began in 1956 as a television game show hosted by Bill Cullen and was revamped in 1972. This version was originally hosted by Bob Barker. Since 2007, Drew Carey hosts the program.
In the show, contestants compete to win cash and prizes by bidding on the pricing of merchandise. The program has been critically successful and remains a stalwart in the television ratings.[1] It also managed to break away from the quiz show format that has been used in other game shows.[2] Since the current version of The Price is Right premiered, it has also been adapted in several international formats around the world, most notably in the United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico.
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The original version of The Price Is Right was first transmitted on the NBC, and later ABC, television networks in the United States from 1956 to 1965. Hosted by Bill Cullen, it involved four contestants bidding on expensive products, doing so in the manner of auctions except that Cullen did not act out the role of auctioneer (contestants tried to bid closest to the product's actual retail price without going over that price). After a set round of bids, the contestant whose bid was closest to the correct value of the prize – and had not gone over that value – won it. At the end of each edition, the contestant who had won the most (by dollar value) was declared the winner and became the returning champion, entitled to play again in the next edition. This version of The Price Is Right ended in 1965.
The updated version returned to the air in 1972 as The New Price Is Right; the "new" addendum was later removed. It is still in production in the United States. From September 4, 1972, to June 15, 2007, the show was hosted by Bob Barker. Barker's episodes continued to air in reruns until October 15, 2007, when Drew Carey debuted as the new host.
In this "New" version, four contestants place a single bid on an initial product, in dollars only, as the production company will round off all retail prices to the nearest dollar; the contestant who bids closest to the product's actual retail price without going over wins the item and then gets to play one of several mini-games, which are called Pricing Games in most countries, including the United States, for an additional and more substantial prize or group of prizes. One contestant, through various elimination formats, could find themselves winning a large showcase of prizes at the show's conclusion by predicting the total price of a "showcase."
Originally thirty minutes in length, the show was expanded to its current hour-long format on November 3, 1975. At this time, a new feature, the "Showcase Showdown," was introduced and remains in use. The three contestants who make their way on stage in each half of the show are asked to spin a large wheel, which is labeled from five cents to one dollar in five cent increments. The contestants in each of the two Showdowns who come closest to one dollar in no more than two spins that then have to take the wheel through one complete revolution, without going over, are brought back to compete for the Showcases at the end of the show.
The 1972 American version was hosted by Bob Barker from September 1972 to June 2007; his last new episode aired on June 15, 2007. After a season-long search for a new host, Drew Carey took the helm of the show, with production resuming in August 2007 and Carey's first episode airing on October 15. It is believed to be the second longest-running game show on television, trailing only the Spanish-language variety show Sábado Gigante;[3] it is also the longest running five-days-a-week game show in the world. The Price Is Right is the only game show franchise to be seen nationally in either first-run network or syndication airings in the US in every decade from the 1950s onward. CBS has occasionally aired extra episodes of the show for short periods between the cancellation of one daytime program and the premiere of its successor. On occasion since 1986, special episodes have occasionally aired during prime time hours, most notably to fill in gaps between the Survivor series, and the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike.
Versions and runs of the current format have included:
The 1972 revised format appeared on Australian television the following year and debuted in the UK in 1984. The format has also been adapted around the world. Hosts and models from the international versions have made appearances on the U.S. version, usually sitting in the audience, and are generally acknowledged by the host during the broadcast. Barker and then-music director Stan Blits appeared on the Carlo Boszhard-hosted Cash en Carlo at the start of the 200th episode.
| Region/Country | Local name | Network | Host | Airdates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | El Precio Justo | Canal 9 | Fernando Bravo | 1990s |
Used a similar set to US version and a similar logo to French version. |
| Australia | The Price Is Right | Seven Network Network Ten Nine Network |
Ian Turpie Larry Emdur |
1981–1989 1993–2005 |
Both versions feature similar elements to U.S. version. The "Double Bullseye" playoff and a pricing game similar to the current US version's "Easy as 1 2 3" are used for the Showcase. Emdur has appeared more than once on the U.S. version since Carey began hosting, most recently in December 2011. |
| Belgium | De Juiste Prijs/Le Juste Prix | VTM RTL TVI |
Jan Theys Koen Wauters Michaël Dufour Sacha Cortez |
2010 |
Both versions feature similar elements to French version. |
| Brazil | O Preço Certo | SBT Rede Record |
Silvio Santos Juan Alba |
1980s October 2009–June 2010 |
Juan Alba-era used a similar set to the UK show (and the Portuguese show) and used the same theme as such version, while Silvio Santos-era used similar elements to US version. |
| Canada | Misez Juste (1994–1995) Price Is Right: À vous de jouer (2011) |
TQS(1994–1995) V(2011) |
Alain Léveillé (1994–1995) Philippe Bond (2011) |
1994–1995 September 2011–present |
The original French-Canadian version had a significantly cheaper budget (Car rentals in place of cars, trips to Halifax and Cuba) and a set more akin to Let's Make a Deal. The series lasted from 1994 to 1995. The host Alain (along with announcer Fabien Major) also appeared on an episode of the US version The Price is Right in 1994. This series aired twice a week, unlike the 2 other versions airing at the time.
Philippe Bond is scheduled to host the new version in September 2011 and taped promos for the show while in Los Angeles at the Bob Barker Studio with the US models and announcer George Gray). Bond was scheduled to appear on the US version himself, but the taping in question was called off after Carey was injured during training for the Marine Corps Marathon.[4] |
| Chile | Diga lo que vale | Canal 13 | Don Francisco | 1981–1987 | |
| China | 购物街 Gòu Wù Jiē |
CCTV-2 | Gao Bo | 2007 | Little is known of this show other than that its name translates to "Shopping Street" and that it is airing on CCTV-2. It is not known if the format was actually licensed from FremantleMedia. The host is Zhen Cheng. This show borrows many elements from the US version. In addition, a version in Taiwan (airing on China Television) has similar elements to the Italian show, such as song-and-dance routines. |
| Colombia | El precio es correcto | RTI on Cadena Uno or Cadena Dos (1981–198?)[5][6] Caracol TV (2011) |
Gloria Valencia de Castaño[6] (1981–198?) Iván Lalinde (2011) |
1981–198? 2011 |
1980s The second game, Grand Game, was called El Mercadito (The Little Supermarket). In it, the contestant had to choose from among six articles the four which were above or below a given price. The contestant started the game with 10 pesos and multiplied them by 10 for each right article that he chose, up to a highest earning of COL$100,000 ($50 US). If he failed before attaining this highest price, the contestant was proposed a triqui-traque (treat): either he kept his winnings, or he could switch it for a prize hidden behind a curtain. This surprise price could be much better (e.g., a VCR or an oriental rug) or much worse (e.g., a broom or a glass of orange juice) than the cash. The fourth game was a Colombian rendition of Race Game. The contestant had 60 seconds to run across the stage to put the right price to five different articles, and when a price was indeed right, a light went on. Instead of running to and from the prizes, the contestant had to dance across the stage. He was allowed to choose the background music; possible choices included cumbia, merengue, paso doble, and joropo. |
| Estonia | Kuum Hind | Kanal 2 | Emil Rutiku | October 2007 | |
| Finland | Mitä maksaa? | Nelonen | Petri Liski | 1998–2000 | |
| France | Le Juste Prix | TF1 | Max Meynier Eric Galliano Patrick Roy Philippe Risoli Vincent Lagaf' |
1987–1988 1988 1988–1992 1992–2001 Since 2009 |
It was aired at 12h05 on TF1 and became one of the most famous game shows of the '90s. Le Juste Euro, hosted by Patrice Laffont, only lasted two weeks and was aired in January 2002 on France 2. The game show was replaced with Attention à la marche hosted by Jean-Luc Reichmann, actually a version with Vincent Lagaf is aired. |
| Germany | Der Preis ist heiß | RTL | Harry Wijnvoord | May 2, 1989–1997 | The first season of this show used a set that had lots of pink and blue, the later series had a set that somewhat resembled the American set. The theme music was also changed to the American theme as well. The intro later included a light box, like the U.S. version, both series used similar props to US show. It was recently featured on Germany's Gameshow Marathon. |
| India | Yehi Hai Right Price | Zee | |||
| Indonesia | Tebak Harga (1994–2003) The Price is Right (2003–present) |
TPI Trans TV Indosiar MNCTV |
Farhan (1994–2005) Stenny Agustaf (2010) VJ Surya (2010) |
June 10, 1994–August 17, 2001 August 24, 2001–July 15, 2005 August 10–November 2010 |
The show was on TransTV and hosted by Muhammad Farhan (commonly known by his last name only). |
| Israel | פחות או יותר Pachot o' Yoter |
Channel 2 | Aki Avni | 1994 | |
| Italy | OK, il Prezzo è Giusto! | Italia 1 Rete 4 Canale 5 Rete 4 |
Gigi Sabani Iva Zanicchi Emanuela Folliero Iva Zanicchi Maria Teresa Ruta |
1983–1986 1987–April 1999 May–June 1999 September 1999–June 2000 September 2000–June 2001 |
This is the second longest continually-running version of The Price Is Right, airing from 1983 to 2001. It is also only one of three versions to be hosted by a woman. The show was largely faithful to the American version but never used the U.S. version music (including Main Theme and Come On Down cue), unlike other European versions, such as UK and Germany, although the last two seasons altered the format slightly to use the Showcase round seen on the British version. |
| Japan | The Chance ザ・チャンス！ Za cha-n-su |
Tokyo Broadcasting System | Shiro Ito (1979–1986) TBA |
1979–1986 2010–present |
|
| Latvia | Veiksmes cena | TV3 | Valters Krauze | January 7, 2007 | |
| Lebanon | The Price Is Right بلا TVA | LBC (2010–2011) MBC 4 (2011–Present) |
Tony Baroud | May 25, 2010–present | Uses similar elements to French Version, like sound effects. |
| Mexico | Atinale Al Precio | Televisa | Marco Antonio Regil (1997–1999, 2010) | 1997–1999 2010 |
The 2010 version uses similar elements to the British version. In 2007, Regil auditioned to replace Barker for the United States version. [8] |
| Morocco | السعر الصحيح Al seer al Saheeh |
2M | 2002 | ||
| Netherlands | Prijs je Rijk Prijzenslag Cash en Carlo |
RTL 4 RTL 7 |
Fred Oster Hans Kazan Carlo Boszhard |
1987 1989–1995 2000 |
Prijs je Rijk used the U.S. theme and similar set to American Version Prijzenslag was based on Germany's Der Preis ist Heiss and Bob Warman's in the UK Cash En Carlo was a version of many European versions to borrow the format of Bruce's Price Is Right in the UK (although it doesn't borrow the UK version's props and music cues, but uses another remix of the US Price is Right theme as "Come on down" music). During one episode, US contestant coordinator (and current co-producer) Stan Blits along with Bob Barker recorded a special greeting, with it read in Dutch by Blits. |
| New Zealand | The Price Is Right | TV3 | Dave Jamieson | 1992 | The show was filmed at TVNZ's Avalon Studios in Wellington, even though the show screened on the opposition network TV3. The show was sponsored by the Farmers department store chain and Farmers actually changed their slogan around this time to Farmers, Where The Price Is Right. In recent years, the Australian version had been screened on New Zealand's Prime Television. |
| Pakistan | The Price Is Right | Geo TV | Ali Salman | 2010 | Uses similar elements to Bruce's Price Is Right and current U.S. logo in tones of blue. |
| Peru | Diga lo que Vale | Panamericana Televisión | Johnny López | 1982–1984; 1987 | |
| Philippines | The Price Is Right | ABC ABS-CBN |
Dawn Zulueta Kris Aquino |
2001–2003 February 2011 |
It is the only other version of the show known to have used the Australian version of the Showcase. The first version of show ran on ABC-5 as part of the network's response to the popularity of Who Wants to be a Millionaire? on IBC 13. A second version was produced by ABS-CBN and hosted by Kris Aquino. |
| Poland | Dobra cena | TVN | Grzegorz Wons | 1997–1998 | One of the many European versions that used Bruce's Price Is Right music. |
| Portugal | O Preço Certo O Preço Certo em Euros(January 2002–March 2006) |
RTP1 | Carlos Cruz and Nicolau Breyner Jorge Gabriel and then Fernando Mendes |
Late '80s / early '90s (first edition) January 2002–March 2006 September 2006–present |
The title was changed to "O Preco Certo em Euros" when the escudo was dropped and the Euro was introduced, with Jorge Gabriel and then Fernando Mendes as host, and Miguel Vital as announcer. This version used Bruce's Price Is Right props and music (but used a synthesized version of the US Price is Right theme for its closing music). When the show still used the escudo, it used a set similar to the US show (and the German show) and the same music cues as the US. In Autumn 2006 the show re-launched once again and took its inspiration from the new UK version by using a similar set and music. The show also removed "em Euros" from the name making its new title O Preço Certo since the Euro has been in use for seven years. Sound effects from Joe's show don't appear to have been used much (the generic bell was borrowed from Cash en Carlo, for example). |
| Romania | Preţul Correct | ProTV | Stelian Nistor / Constantin Cotimanis | December 1997–March 2000 | |
| Spune-mi Preţul | Kanal D | Cosmin Cernat | 2009 | ||
| Russia | Цена удачи | NTV | Boris Smolkin, replaced by Anton Komolov | September 11, 2005–June 25, 2006 | |
| Singapore | The Price is Right | Mediacorp Channel 5 | |||
| Spain | El Precio Justo | TVE1 Antena 3 |
Joaquín Prat Carlos Lozano Guillermo Romero Juan y Medio |
1988–1993 1999–2001 2006–2007 |
The 1988–1993 used a similar set to UK Leslie Crowther's show and featured a Showcase played similarly to the US version but featured only one Showcase on which both contestants bid. The 1999–2001 (Based in Bruce's Price Is Right) and 2006–2007 (Based in UK Joe Pasquale's show) used an hybrid of the UK and US showcase. After the top winner selected a range at random, both contestants bid on the Showcase, hoping that their bid were the fell within the selected range of the actual price and the closest without going over. |
| Thailand | ทายได้ให้เลย | JSL | Bundit Kosolpisit | ||
| Turkey | Kaç Para? | aTV | Özkan Uğur Vatan Şaşmaz |
September 8, 2003–January 23, 2004 | |
| United Kingdom | The Price Is Right | ITV Sky One |
Leslie Crowther (ITV primetime) Bob Warman (Sky One daytime) Bruce Forsyth (ITV primetime) Joe Pasquale (ITV daytime) |
March 24, 1984–January 12, 2007 | |
| United States | The Price Is Right | NBC ABC |
Bill Cullen (1956–65) | November 26, 1956– March 9, 1965 |
|
| The Price Is Right | CBS Syndicated |
Bob Barker (1972–2007 multiple versions) Dennis James (1972–1977 syndication) Tom Kennedy (1985–1986 syndication) Doug Davidson (1994–1995 syndication) Drew Carey (2007–present) |
September 4, 1972–present | ||
| Venezuela | El Precio Justo | RCTV | Winston Vallenilla | 2002 | |
| Vietnam | Hãy chọn giá đúng | VTV3 | Lại Văn Sâm (2004) Lưu Minh Vũ (2004–present) |
2004 | Uses a similar set to American Version, It was hosted by one of the channel's most popular personalities, Lại Văn Sâm (also emcee of the Vietnamese version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, called Ai là triệu phú), and now is hosted by Lưu Minh Vũ. |
According to Fremantle's website, versions of the show have also aired in Greece and Lithuania.
Endless Games, which in the past has produced board games based on several other game shows, including The Newlywed Game and Million Dollar Password, distributes home versions of The Price Is Right, featuring the voice of Rich Fields, including a DVD edition and a Quick Picks travel-size edition. Ubisoft also released a video game version of the show for the PC, Nintendo DS, and Wii console on September 9, 2008. An updated version of the game (The Price Is Right: 2010 Edition) was released on September 22, 2009. Both versions feature the voice of Rich Fields, who was the show's announcer at the time release.
In September 2010, Ludia released the official Facebook version of The Price Is Right game. The game had two million monthly active users only two months after the launch.[9]
In October 2011, Ludia (now owned by RTL Group) released The Price Is Right Decades, a video game featuring production elements from various decades of the show, for the Wii, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
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