Channel 10 has refused to confirm or deny plans to revive a long-cancelled series from rival Channel 9 as part of the broadcaster’s bold attempt to compete in the ratings.

Channel 10 is understood to be reviving Millionaire Hot Seat as part of the broadcaster’s bold attempt to compete in the ratings.

Hot Seat originally enjoyed a long run on Channel 9 as a spin-off of the game show staple Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? until it ended in 2023.

Both series were memorably presented by Eddie McGuire, with Hot Seat serving as a shortened version of the original program.

A casting call for trivia enthusiasts keen to take on the Hot Seat surfaced on Monday, with Ten understood to be taking on the program for its primetime line up in 2026.

Ten is set revive Millionaire Hot Seat. Picture :Nine Network.
The new Hot Seat will be shot in Melbourne this September, with the callout encouraging all “energetic, confident trivia lovers from all walks of life” to apply.

Curio Pictures—owned by Sony—is confirmed to be producing the revival for Ten but no information has surfaced about who could be taking on hosting duties for the revival.

Sony Pictures Television holds the global rights to the Millionaire format, which has spawned over 100 international variations.

It is understood the new game show will not impact Ten’s other primetime game show Deal or No Deal, which will continue airing for now in its new 7pm slot.

The revival will be filmed in Melbourne. Picture by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.
Game shows have emerged as a reliable ratings winner for free-to-air broadcasters amid a general decline in audiences.

Unliked scripted programming, which has become prohibitively expensive for Aussie networks, game shows can be produced relatively cheaply, with multiple episodes ‘taped’ in a single day.

Ten declined to address media inquiries about Millionaire Hot Seat but told SkyNews.com.au that 2026 programming announcements will be made at the channel’s annual upfront event.

“We look forward to making the 2026 content announcements for both 10 and Paramount+, at our Upfront presentation in the next few months,” Ten told SkyNews.com.au in a statement.