Tempting television

Head of M-Net Original Productions, Carl Fischer, points out that since the end of 'Who wants to be a Millionaire' in 2000, M-Net has been without a game show. "After having scoured local and international formats and accessed what would work for our audience, we chose 'Temptation'. We feel the show has that 'wow factor' and it is also a great vehicle to highlight the 'big brains' in South Africa."

'Temptation' is a 2005 incarnation of 'Sale of the Century', a popular television game show format that has been screened in several countries since 1969. This game of risk requires contestants to have a good general knowledge, and contestants win and lose money in a matter of seconds, finding themselves tempted by bigger and better prizes.

Fischer says that is M-Net's intention is to go big with the show, confirming that there will be prizes of huge value to be won and that the further a contestant progresses, the bigger and better the prizes will be.

In terms of the current Australian format, which the local version will follow, each player is given a small amount of money with which to start. Players are asked a series of questions, but have to hit the buzzer first to answer them. A correct answer increases the player's score; an incorrect answer decreases it.

At the end of the game, the player with the highest score is given the opportunity to 'go shopping' for some big prizes. He or she will also be faced with the ultimate prize of a large amount of money.

Adding to the temptation, a different prize of increasing value is offered to the player every night. He or she must decide whether to leave the show with the prize on offer, or be tempted to risk all for a bigger prize the following night.

A new feature of 'Temptation' is that once the contestant has agreed to play on the following night, he or she is also given an opportunity to build an additional cash prize to risk. The largest jackpot ever won on the Australian version of the show was $508 000.

According to Oracle Airtimes Sales, headline sponsorship is still available.