# Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US)

> Regis Philbin's quiz show averaged 27.9 million viewers across its three weekly slots.

- Owner: ABC / Disney (original US production and distribution); Celador (original format)
- Kind: Series
- Sector: Entertainment
- Seed date: 1999-08-16
- Observed peak date: 2000-05-03
- Date basis: Observed peak within the documented measurement window; not an all-time maximum.
- Spread Score: 31 (Niche, provisional), v1.3
- Mechanics: Daily ritual, Platform jump, Dupe economy, Controversy

## Summary

ABC premiered the quiz show with Regis Philbin, and audiences grew during its summer run. Viewers discussed it on Usenet and played home versions. Its weekly slots led the season ratings; a syndicated edition followed the prime-time decline.

## Timeline

- 1999-07-26 — ABC (TV) — ABC opened telephone qualifying and announced promotions through McDonald's.
- 1999-08-16 — ABC / Regis Philbin (TV) — ABC premiered the Regis Philbin quiz show in prime time to about 10 million viewers.
- 1999-08-29 — US television viewers (TV) — The summer run ended with a reported 22.4 million viewers.

The full timeline, metrics and sources are on the case page, or via the Pro API (https://howitspread.com/developers).

Canonical URL: https://howitspread.com/cases/who-wants-to-be-a-millionaire-us

Cite as: How It Spread (2026). “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US).” Case HIS-01470. Spread Score v1.3: 31/100. Updated 2026-10-23. https://howitspread.com/id/HIS-01470