New Season of WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE Premieres Next Month

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" returns for a new season on September 14, 2015, with a new host - Chris Harrison of "The Bachelor" franchise - and a return to the format that made the show a phenomenon when it debuted on American television.

After developing a deep connection with the TV audience from his years with the wildly popular series "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor in Paradise," the versatile Harrison will bring his charm and talent to the iconic game show as it enters its 14th season in national syndication. As America's richest game show, "Millionaire" continues to be the only program to offer a $1 million prize to each and every contestant.

Since "Millionaire" debuted in national syndication in 2002, contestants have won nearly $95 million. The show features contestants from all over the country and from all walks of life, and remains a game in which anyone can walk in and win big. Cleverly-written trivia questions that reveal fun and entertaining facts combine with dramatic suspense to keep contestants and viewers alike on the edge of their seats.

This season, producers are bringing back the drama to the long-running franchise by reintroducing the ladder format, with the tension and the difficulty building as each contestant makes his or her way closer to $1 million dollars. The 2015-16 ladder features 14 questions, with new dollar amounts for the early questions.

Three lifelines are available to each contestant as they navigate their way up the ladder. Ask the Audience - one of the show's three original lifelines - remains this season. Also still in play is Plus One, which creates its own drama as the companions step onto the stage and are put on the spot - can they help their contestants answer a challenging question? Returning to the show is 50/50, which removes two incorrect answers from the game.

"Millionaire's" 14th season also will offer exciting specialty weeks throughout the season:

"OFF TO COLLEGE WEEK" Sept. 28-Oct. 2 - Smart young people from across the country play to win some cash as they head off to school in the fall.

"BUCKET LIST WEEK" October 26-30 - "Millionaire" helps contestants check off items from their list of things to do before they ... well, you know.

"BACHELOR FAN FAVORITES" Nov. 2-6 and February 1-5 - Favorite contestants from "The Bachelor" and "The Bachelorette" will be reunited with Harrison to compete during two special weeks this season.

"SECOND CHANCE WEEK" Nov. 9-13 - Memorable players who got a question wrong last season return for another chance to go all the way to $1 million.

"ELIGIBLE BACHELOR WEEK" Nov. 16-20 - Some of the most eligible guys in America come to "Millionaire" seeking THE ONE ... that is, the one with six zeros behind it!

"ARMED FORCES WEEK" Dec. 14-18 - As part of the holiday season, "Millionaire" welcomes true American heroes from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

"WHIZ KIDS" February 8-12 - Some of the smartest kids in the country, from 8-15 years old, take on "Millionaire"!

"SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN" February 15-19 - "Millionaire" partners with The Shriners Hospitals for Children to raise money for this special cause. Special Olympian Blake Leeper will donate all of his winnings when he plays on the final show of the week.

"MOVIE WEEK" February 22-26 - Movie trivia buffs show off their knowledge by taking on a totally movie-themed slate of questions.

About "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire"

"Millionaire" airs across the country weekdays in national syndication. Go to MillionaireTV.com for time and channel. "Millionaire" is produced by Valleycrest Productions Ltd. and is distributed by Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and TV Distribution. James Rowley serves as executive producer of "Millionaire," which is taped at the Connecticut Film Center in Stamford, Connecticut.

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