The Price Is Right (franchise)

This article is about The Price Is Right franchise. For the American version airing since 1972, see The Price Is Right (U.S. game show). For other uses, see The Price Is Right (disambiguation).

File:TheNighttimePriceisRight.jpg

The Price Is Right franchise logo, used (with variations) in most countries since 1972.

The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise created by Bob Stewart, and is 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 the merchandise. The program has been critically successful and remains a stalwart in the television ratings. It also managed to break away from the quiz show format that has been used in other game shows. 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.

1956-1965

Main article: The Price Is Right (1956 U.S. game show)

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–would win 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.

1972-present

Main article: The Price Is Right (U.S. game show)

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.

Format

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 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.

History

See also: The Price Is Right broadcast history

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; 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.

Versions and runs

Versions and runs of the current format have included:

• The Price Is Right (1972–Present): The current daytime version; hosted by Bob Barker (1972–2007), and Drew Carey (2007–Present).
• The Price Is Right (1972–1980): A weekly syndicated series hosted by Dennis James (1972–1977) and then Bob Barker (1977–1980). It was referred to on-air as "the nighttime Price Is Right".
• The Price Is Right (1985–1986): A daily syndicated version hosted by Tom Kennedy, also referred to on-air as "the nighttime Price Is Right".
• The Price Is Right Special (1986): A prime time Summer series on CBS hosted by Bob Barker.
• The New Price Is Right (1994–1995): A short-lived daily syndicated nighttime version hosted by Doug Davidson.
• The Price Is Right Salutes (2002): A series of special shows that have been produced based on the current daytime version, and have been aired during CBS's primetime lineup. These specials saluted branches of the United States armed forces, in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
• The Price Is Right $1,000,000 Spectacular (2003–2008): Special primetime episodes featuring chances at winning $1,000,000; either as a Showcase Showdown bonus spin in place of its previous grand prize, or in the Drew Carey-hosted specials—meeting a specific goal in a pricing game or bidding within $1000 (or later $500) of the actual retail price of a Showcase (along with the traditional practice of winning both Showcases). More expensive prizes are also offered during these specials, including cash prizes whose amounts are doubled from their daytime counterparts.

International versions

The 1972 revised format appeared on Australian TV the following year and debuted in the UK in 1984; and has also been adapted around the world. A few staff members from the international versions have made appearances on the U.S. version in the audience, namely hosts (so far, only Alain Leveille from the French-Canadian version, Larry Emdur from the Australian version, and Marco Antonio Regil from the Mexican version (along with other staff members) have appeared on the U.S. show, as well as a model from the Italian version). While he didn't appear on the U.S. show itself, Carlo Boszhard from the Dutch version was greeted by Barker (and music director Stan Blits) at the start of the 200th episode of his version, Cash en Carlo.

Region/Country	Local name	Network	Main Host	Date premiered	Notes
Argentina	El Precio Justo	Canal 9	Fernando Bravo	1990s
Australia	The Price Is Right	Seven Network Network Ten Nine Network	Ian Turpie Larry Emdur	1981-1989 1993-2005
Belgium	De Juiste Prijs/Le Juste Prix	VTM RTL TVI	Jan Theys Koen Wauters Michaël Dufour Sacha Cortez	2010
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 Joe Pasquale-era version and used the same theme as such version, while Silvio Santos-era used the American version's format.
Canada French	Misez Juste	TQS	Alain Léveillé	1994–1995	The 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.
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	Canal Uno	Gloria Valencia de Castaño	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 would multiply them by 10 for each right article that he would choose, up to a highest earning of COL$100,000 ($50 US). If he failed before attaining this highest price, he would be proposed a triqui-traque (treat): either he kept his winnings, or he could switch it for a surprise 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 MTV3	Mikko Yoderson Petri Liski	1983-1988 1998-2000
France	Le Juste Prix	TF1	Max Meynier Eric Galliano Patrick Roy Philippe Risoli Vincent Lagaf'	1987-88 1988 1988-1992 1992-2001 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. 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	Farhan (1994–2005) Stenny Agustaf (2010–present) VJ Surya (2010–present)	June 10, 1994-August 17, 2001 August 24, 2001-July 15, 2005 August 10, 2010–present	It didn't last long due to the instability of the Rupiah, the currency of Indonesia. 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. To date, it is also only one of three versions to be hosted by a woman. It also has possibly the most set changes for any version of the show, topping off somewhere around 7. The show was largely faithful to the American version, although the last two seasons altered the format slightly to use the one-player British version of the Showcase.
Japan	The Chance 価格は右である Kakaku wa Migidearu	Tokyo Broadcasting System	Shiro Ito (1979–1986) TBA	1979-1986 2010–present
Latvia	Veiksmes cena		Valters Krauze	January 7, 2007
Lebanon	The Price Is Right بلا TVA	LBC	Tony Baroud	May 25, 2010–present
Malaysia	TBD	TBD	TBD	2011	A Malaysian version would be produced collaboratively with the Philippine version, but no other details were announced.
Mexico	Atinale Al Precio (1997 game show) Atinale Al Precio (2010 game show)	Televisa	Marco Antonio Regil (1997–1999, 2010–present)	1997-1999 2010–present
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
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 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 would be produced by ABS-CBN, making it the second former ABC-5 game show to have a separate ABS-CBN version, after Wheel of Fortune.
Poland	Dobra cena	TVN	Grzegorz Wons	1997–1998	Was of the many Europan version that used Bruce's Price Is Right music.
Portugal	O Preço Certo O Preço Certo em Euros (from January 2002 to 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 uses Bruce's Price Is Right props and music (but used a synthesized version of the US Price is Right theme for its closing music). Interestingly, when the show still used the escudo, it used a set similar to the US show (and the German show) and the same theme tune 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 Corect Spune-mi Preţul	ProTV Kanal D	Stelian Nistor Cosmin Cernat	November 1997 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		In this version (and Portugal's), announcer Luis Hernan sits in a DJ booth to call contestants down, as seen in pictures at Golden-Road.net. Before the Portuguese version came along, Spain used Bruce's Price Is Right's props and music. While the Lozano/Romero era used the same props and music as the UK's Bruce's Price Is Right, the version with Juan was appeared to use a similar set to the current UK show with Joe Pasquale, but was not used the same theme as Joe's show while Portugal's version does use both. Likewise, while the Bob Warman-era UK Price is Right and Carlos Cruz-era Portuguese Price is Right used the American version's music, the Joaquin Prat-era Spanish Price is Right used a completely different theme song.
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 CBS Syndicated	Bill Cullen (1956–65) Bob Barker (1972–2007 multiple versions) Dennis James (1972-77 syndication) Tom Kennedy (1985-86 syndication) Doug Davidson (1994-95 syndication) Drew Carey (2007–present)	November 26, 1956- March 9, 1965 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-ongoing)	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.

Nations not listed

According to Fremantle's website, versions of the show have also aired in Greece and Lithuania.

See also

• List of television show franchises

Licensed merchandise

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 former announcer Rich Fields.

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.

External links

• Official Fremantle website and video social network community for The Price Is Right
• Official CBS website for The Price Is Right
• The Price Is Right at the National Film and Sound Archive
• Clip of Barker greeting Carlo Boszhard from the 200th show