Original Premiere and Early Format
The original The Price Is Right debuted on NBC on November 26, 1956, hosted by Bill Cullen. The show ran in various forms until 1965, establishing the core concept of contestants guessing retail prices to win prizes. Forbes provides an overview of the show's early history and format changes.
The original version featured a smaller set, studio audience participation, and a focus on grocery and household items. Contestants were selected from the studio crowd, a tradition that continues in the modern version. The early run ended after about nine years on NBC before the show was off the air for over a decade.
The Modern Version and Current Format
The modern version of The Price Is Right premiered on CBS on September 4, 1972, with Bob Barker as host. This relaunch introduced the iconic Showcase Showdown and Showcase segments that define the show today. The official CBS page for The Price Is Right lists current air dates and episode details.
Since 1972, the show has become the longest-running game show in U.S. television history. Drew Carey took over as host in 2007, and the show continues to tape new episodes with updated prizes and contemporary product placements. The basic structure of Contestants Row, pricing games, and the Showcase remains intact.
Key Milestones and Recent Developments
In 2023, the show celebrated its 51st season on CBS, maintaining its status as a daytime ratings leader. The show expanded its digital presence with online games and social media integrations, reflecting broader trends in broadcast television. Nielsen ratings data tracks The Price Is Right's consistent position among top daytime programs.
Recent seasons have featured higher-value prizes, including luxury cars and vacation packages, while maintaining the show's accessible pricing game format. The show continues to audition contestants from the general public, with in-person tapings resuming fully after pandemic-related adjustments. The SEC EDGAR system provides public filings for CBS parent company Paramount Global, including financial data relevant to programming decisions.