The oldest game show still running today is Jeopardy!, which originally premiered in 1964.

Here’s a breakdown:

-The original Jeopardy! aired on NBC starting March 30, 1964, created by Merv Griffin.
-It went through various versions, but the current syndicated version, hosted by Alex Trebek for decades, began in 1984 and has been running continuously since.

If you’re strictly counting from a show’s first inception date (regardless of format changes), Jeopardy! holds the crown.

However, honorable mention goes to:

-The Price Is Right, which began in 1956 (original version), and has been running continuously in its modern form since 1972 on CBS.

So depending on how you define “still running” (original vs. continuous run), either Jeopardy! or The Price Is Right could be considered the oldest.

Bingo Blitz (hosted by Valerie Bertinelli)

Tic-Tac-Dough (hosted by Brooke Burns)

Riddiculous (U.S. version in development)

Blank Slate (hosted by Mario Lopez, premiered January 2024)

Split Second (hosted by John Michael Higgins, returned April 2025)

Switch (hosted by Jeff Hephner, premiered January 2025)

The very first game show on television was Spelling Bee, which aired in the United Kingdom in 1938 on the BBC.

In the United States, the first game show was:

Truth or Consequences
-Debuted: July 1, 1941
-Network: NBC
-Host: Ralph Edwards

Format: Contestants answered trivia questions; if they got it wrong, they had to perform a zany stunt (the “consequence”).

This marked the birth of American TV game shows, blending quiz elements with light comedy—a formula still used today.

The most famous game show ever is widely considered to be Jeopardy!

Why Jeopardy! stands out:
-Debuted: 1964 (revived in 1984, running ever since)
-Created by: Merv Griffin
-Hosted most famously by: Alex Trebek (1984–2020)
-Signature style: Answers are given first, and contestants respond with the question (“What is…?”)
-Cultural impact: Parodied countless times, referenced in movies/TV, and has spawned international versions and spin-offs.

Other top contenders for “most famous” include:

-Wheel of Fortune: iconic puzzle-solving format, long-running with Pat Sajak and Vanna White

-The Price Is Right: known for its enthusiastic audience and games like Plinko

-Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: global phenomenon in the 2000s

But overall, Jeopardy! is the one most often cited as the gold standard of quiz-based game shows.

On The Price Is Right, you generally cannot choose to take cash instead of prizes, but there are a few important caveats:

Prize Rules:
If you win a prize, such as a car or vacation, you are awarded that prize, not its cash value.

The show does not offer a cash alternative for most prizes.

You are responsible for paying taxes on the value of what you win before you can receive it.

Some Exceptions or Options:
In very rare cases, a cash option might be offered (e.g., for special promotional prizes or certain game formats), but this is not typical.

Some winners choose to decline a prize they don’t want or can’t afford the taxes on. In that case, they don’t get the prize or the cash equivalent.

Sometimes, especially with vacations, winners may be able to coordinate with the prize provider to take a reduced or alternative version (but that’s between the winner and provider, not the show).

Summary:
You can’t just ask for cash instead of a car or trip. You either accept the prize (and pay taxes) or decline it entirely.

Valerie Bertinelli is the host of Bingo Blitz, a new game show on Game Show Network (GSN). Premiering on April 14, 2025, Monday through Friday, the show blends trivia and bingo. Contestants answer questions to earn bingo balls and points, with bonus rounds featuring special “gold balls” and power-ups. Winners advance to the Blitz Round, where they have 60 seconds to complete a bingo and can win $10,000.

Game Show Network (GSN) has not been cancelled. It’s still an active cable channel and continues to produce and air game shows. However, there are a few reasons people may think it was cancelled:

1. Distribution Issues
In 2022, GSN was temporarily dropped by Dish Network and Sling TV due to a contract dispute.

This led some viewers to believe the network had been shut down, but it returned shortly after once an agreement was reached.

2. Shift in Programming
GSN has moved toward airing mostly reruns of classic shows like Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy!

Fewer original game shows are being produced, and new ones are often cancelled quickly if ratings are low.

3. Perception of Decline
Fans online have criticized the network for becoming “a rerun channel” and for not giving original series a fair shot.

As a result, some viewers assume GSN has “gone downhill” or shut down, even though it hasn’t.

In summary: GSN is still running, but changes in distribution and programming strategy may give the impression that it was cancelled.

The most famous game show that started in 1964 is Jeopardy!

Key Details:
-Premiered: March 30, 1964

-Network: NBC

-Created by: Merv Griffin

-Original Host: Art Fleming

-Format: Contestants are given clues and must respond in the form of a question (e.g., “What is…”).

Jeopardy! introduced a new style of quiz show that emphasized knowledge, strategy, and timing. It became a cultural icon and was successfully revived in 1984 with Alex Trebek, continuing to this day.

Game shows get the money to give away from several sources:

Production Budget

Networks or production companies allocate part of their budget specifically for prize money as part of producing the show.

Sponsorships and Advertisers

Sponsors often provide cash or prizes in exchange for advertising and brand exposure during the show.

Prize Partnerships

Some prizes (like cars, vacations, electronics) are donated or discounted by companies hoping for promotion.

Network Funding

The TV network airing the show typically funds the prize money as part of overall programming costs.

Show Revenue

Game shows generate revenue through advertising during broadcasts, which helps cover prize expenses.

Product Placement and Tie-Ins

Occasionally, shows incorporate product placements that help offset costs and supplement prize budgets.

In short, the prize money comes from a mix of network budgets, sponsors, advertisers, and partnerships, all designed to create appealing prizes that draw viewers and advertisers.

When people talk about America’s greatest game show, a few titles usually come up depending on what criteria you use—popularity, cultural impact, longevity, or iconic status. But the one most often crowned as America’s greatest game show is:

Jeopardy!
Why?

It’s been on and off the air since 1964 and running continuously since 1984.

Its unique format—answer first, respond in the form of a question—is iconic and instantly recognizable.

Hosted for decades by Alex Trebek, whose calm and authoritative presence became legendary.

It has high cultural prestige, respected for its focus on knowledge and intellect.

The show has inspired countless parodies, references in pop culture, and international versions.

Other contenders often mentioned:
The Price Is Right, famous for its lively audience, fun pricing games, and longevity since the 1970s.

Wheel of Fortune, a puzzle game that’s been a staple of American TV since the 1970s.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, a game changer in the 2000s with dramatic tension and big money.

But if you had to pick one as America’s greatest, it’s almost always Jeopardy! because of its influence, staying power, and the way it celebrates knowledge.

The largest amount ever won on a game show is $5,000,000, won by Brad Rutter on the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.

Here are some notable top winnings:

Brad Rutter — $5,000,000 (all-time highest winnings across multiple appearances and tournaments on Millionaire)

John Carpenter — $1,000,000 (first to win the million on Millionaire in 1999)

Ken Jennings — $2,520,700 on Jeopardy! (including his regular-season and special tournament wins)

James Holzhauer — $2,462,216 on Jeopardy! (known for his aggressive betting strategy)

Michael Strahan — $1,000,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (celebrity edition, but charity winnings)

Largest single-day win:

James Holzhauer holds the record for largest single-day Jeopardy! winnings, with $131,127.

Note: Some shows like The Price Is Right have given away very expensive prizes (like cars and vacations) worth hundreds of thousands, but the cash amounts above are some of the biggest totals won.

If you want details on other big game show winnings or how the prizes are structured, just ask!