Description
The series offers up a high-stakes game of risk and reward, in which contestants face a series of potentially life-altering decisions. With 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash, ranging from a penny to $1m – contestants decide whether to accept an offer of cash from ‘the Banker,’ in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant’s chosen briefcase.
The contestant picks one case which is theirs to keep, if they choose, until its unsealing at the end of the game. As each of the 25 cases is opened, the likelihood of the player having a valuable cash amount in their case decreases or increases, with ‘the Banker’ tempting the player throughout the game. As long as the larger cash prizes haven’t been opened, the Banker’s deals will only get higher, but if the player opens a case with a bigger cash value, the Banker’s offer could suddenly evaporate.
In an exciting new twist, the contestant is given the chance to confer and make a one-time ‘Counter Offer’ to the prize offered by the Banker. The Banker will decide whether to make the deal or not. This new format point changes the dynamic between the Banker and contestant and adds a new layer of strategy for the contestant.
Ratings:
- Over 350 series produced to date, adapted in 84 territories, including Netherlands, USA, France, Australia and Italy
- The 2nd most travelled format in the world (K7) & most adapted in the Banijay catalogue
- S19 Italy on Rai 1 was the country's most-watched entertainment show with 5.5m viewers - with best share for Individuals 4+ since the 2004/2005 season and strongest viewership since the 2010/2011 series
- S47 in Netherlands celebrated 25 years on air on RTL 4 outperforming the slot on all main demos on SBS6 and almost doubled the primetime slot on the young target
- Returned to Australia for S2 on Ten in 2025
- Recommissioned in Sweden for a second season on TV4