Countries which have their own versions of Wheel of Fortune

The Wheel of Fortune has had a number of versions in different countries:

[edit] Australia

Main articles: Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show) and Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune has had a long history in Australia, with the original version premiering on Channel Seven in 1981 and ceasing Channel Seven's Melbourne-based production in Early 2008. The half-hour episodes were usually brodacast at 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. The original version was hosted by iconic household names on Reality Television with the names Ernie Sigley, Adriana Xenides, John Burgess, Tony Barber, Rob Elliott, Sophie Falkiner, Steve Oemecke, Laura Csortan, and Larry Emdur (host of The Morning Show) each taking up the position during the 27 year lifespan of the original version. 5,628 record-breaking episodes or editions were taped. and ended in 2009 when another iconic show Neighbours surpassed the total.

One week after the original version was axed by the Seven Network, their arch rival, the Nine Network brought the plans to the show and developed a revived version known as Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, with the title living up to the shows' premise that $1,000,000 can be won in one night. This version premiered on May 26, 2008 and was hosted by Tim Campbell and Kelly Landry. This version was cancelled after five weeks, due to poor ratings, compared to Deal or No Deal on the Seven Network. It was replaced with the Antiques Roadshow.

[edit] Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, the show is called Koleloto na cdbata (Колелото на съдбата). Main articles: Wheel of Fortune (Australian game show) and Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune

Wheel of Fortune has had a long history in Australia, with the original version premiering on Channel Seven in 1981 and ceasing Channel Seven's Sydney-based production in Early 2008. The half-hour episodes were usually brodacast at 5:00 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. The original version was hosted by iconic household names on Reality Television with the names Ernie Sigley, Adriana Xenides, John Burgess, Tony Barber, Rob Elliott, Sophie Falkiner, Steve Oemecke, Laura Csortan, and Larry Emdur (host of The Morning Show) each taking up the position during the 27 year lifespan of the original version. 5,628 record-breaking episodes or editions were taped. and ended in 2009 when another iconic show Neighbours surpassed the total.

One week after the original version was axed by the Seven Network, their arch rival, the Nine Network brought the plans to the show and developed a revived version known as Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune, with the title living up to the shows' premise that $1,000,000 can be won in one night. This version premiered on May 26, 2008 and was hosted by Tim Campbell and Kelly Landry. This version was cancelled after five weeks, due to poor ratings, compared to Deal or No Deal on the Seven Network. It was replaced with the Antiques Roadshow.

[edit] Belgium

The Wheel Of Fortune (or 'Het Rad Van Fortuin' in Dutch) was aired by VTM from 1989-1997 (presented by Walter Capiau from 1989-1994 and by Bart Kaell from 1994-1997) and from 2004 until the end of August 2006. The Belgian version will broadcast by Canvas in 2009. (presented by Luc Appermont) Co-host was Debrough Morgan.

[edit] Brazil

Brazil had two versions of Wheel of Fortune. The first was Roletrando, which aired from the late '80s to the early '90s. It later returned with the name Roda a Roda, which ran from 2003 until February 2007. Emceeing both versions was Brazilian TV legend Silvio Santos. This version was unusual in that vowels were treated like consonants, and so they earned the player money like consonants. In 2008, it returned under the name "Roda a Roda Jequitti" after its sponsor, again hosted by Silvio Santos.

Videos of all three versions can be seen on YouTube.

[edit] Canada

The United States version is currently seen nationwide on CBC Television, since September 2008 (except CBET in Windsor, Ontario, due to Detroit rightsholder WDIV-TV)^[1]. Previously, this version of the program aired in syndication on various English-language television stations in Canada. As of September 2009, CBC carries Wheel of Fortune at 7 p.m. local time (7:30 p.m. in Newfoundland).

In the past, the TQS network aired a French-Canadian edition of the show from 1989 to 1992. Entitled La Roue Chanceuse, the show was hosted by Donald Lautrec and Lyne Sarrazin.^[2]

While Canadians are disqualified in contests put on by Wheel of Fortune in the US, they are eligible to become contestants on the show itself. The most recent contestant search in Canada was in Vancouver in February 2009. At that time, approximately 12-15 Canadians were picked to be on the show over the next two seasons. At this point Wheel of Fortune US has not announced any future searches for Canadian contestants.

[edit] Chile

La Rueda de la Fortuna was broadcast by Canal 13 in 1979 and hosted by Rodolfo Torrealba.

[edit] Denmark

In Denmark, Lykkehjulet was aired on TV 2 from 1988 to 2001. The hosts were Michael Meyerheim (1988), Bengt Burg (1989-1996), Keld Heick (1996-1997), Bengt Burg (again) (1997-2000), and Lars Herlow (2000-2001).

[edit] France

There have been two versions. The first ran in the early 1990s, and in August 2006, a revival has been made, hosted by Christophe Dechavanne and Victoria Silvstedt.

[edit] Germany

There have been three Glücksrad versions in Germany: 1988-1998 on Sat.1 (hosted by Frederic Meisner and Peter Bond), 1998-2002 on Kabel 1 (hosted by Frederic Meisner, later replaced by Thomas Ohrner), 2002-2004 on 9 Live. Letter turners include Maren Gilzer (Sat.1 era), Sonya Kraus (Kabel 1 era, later replaced by Katrin Wrobel) and Ramona Drews (9 Live era).

From 1988 to about 1998, the German wheel's layout was nearly similar to a layout used on the American nighttime version back in 1985, only it was reversed. Additionally, throughout the show's lifespan, many of the set pieces were rainbowish, from the wheel, to the puzzle board, to the backdrops.

[edit] Hungary

The Szerencsekerék (Wheel of Fortune) was a very popular daily game show which was aired by:MTV1 between 1992 and 1998, TV2 between 1998 and 2002, and KTV2 with starting 2009. The host was András Vízy, Viktor Klaussmann and Gábor Csúzdi.

[edit] Italy

In Italy, the show is called La Ruota della Fortuna and has recently returned to the airwaves, hosted by Enrico Papi and Victoria Silvstedt. It airs on Italia 1. From the end of the 1980s to 2003 it was broadcast first by Canale 5, then by Rete 4 with Mike Bongiorno.

[edit] Israel

The show aired in Israel from 1993 through 2000, and was among the prominent shows of the newly-founded commercial television channel. It is closely associated with its host, Erez Tal, who would later star in other television game shows.

[edit] Lithuania

In Lithuania, the game show is called Ratas Fortuny ("Wheel of Fortune Lithuania")

[edit] Malaysia

The program was shown on Astro Ria and repeated on TV3 with one week delay until 2002, the Malaysian version of the show was called Roda Impian. Production of the show began in 1996, and since that time it has become one of the most famous game shows in the country. It was hosted by Halim Othman from 1996 to 2002 and Hani Mohsin from 2002 until he died of a heart attack in 2006. After a three-year hiatus, Roda Impian finally returns on 2009, produced by Filem Karya Nusa for TV3, hosted by radio announcer Maskiran Jakirim.

[edit] Mexico

The program was shown on Canal 9 and then in "El canal de las estrellas". The Mexican version of the show was called "La rueda de la fortuna". It was hosted by Laura Flores.

This version made use of two puzzleboards.

[edit] Netherlands

The Dutch version is called 'Het rad van fortuin', as in Belgium, and it was broadcast by RTL 4 from 1989-1998 with host Hans van der Togt and hostess Leontine Borsato. In 2009, Rad Van Fortuin was revived. Borsato is still the hostess while Carlo Boszhard has become the new host.

[edit] New Zealand

[edit] Norway

This version is titled Lykkehjulet and airs on TV3.

[edit] Philippines

Actor Rustom Padilla hosted the original Philippine edition of the show on the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC) during its short run from 2001-2002. It was part of ABC's response to the popularity of IBC 13's version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and The Weakest Link.

ABS-CBN revived Wheel of Fortune in January 2008. The new host is actress Kris Aquino, with Zara Aldana and Jasmine Fitzgerald as the letter turners; the only version with two letter turners.

[edit] Poland

[edit] Portugal

There have been two versions. The first ran in the early 1990s, hosted by Herman José and Ruth Rita in RTP1 and, in September 2008, a revival has been made, hosted by Herman José and Vanessa Palma, in SIC. The local version is called "A Roda da Sorte" (Wheel of Luck).

[edit] Romania

The show was broadcast in Romania by Pro TV, starting in 1997, under the name Roata Norocului and it was hosted by actor Mihai Călin.

[edit] Russia

Russia's version of Wheel of Fortune, called Pole Chudes (Russian: По́ле Чуде́с) began in 1990, now hosted by Leonid Yakubovich.

[edit] Singapore

The main wheel template used for Singapore's Wheel of Fortune.

MediaCorp TV Channel 5 produced Singapore's version of Wheel in 2002. Eunice Olsen, who is Miss Singapore Universe 2000, was a co-host. DJ Bernard Lim was the main host.

[edit] Spain

During all of the 1990s the Spanish version of the show was broadcasted as La Ruleta de la Fortuna, first on Antena 3 and then by Telecinco. It returned to Antena 3 in 2006 as part of the nostalgia phase that hit the channel that year. In its revival, the show was renamed La Ruleta de la Suerte. The revived format has since become one of the channel's most successful programmes for the 2006-07 season, scoring shares of 25% or more on a daily basis. Originally, the show aired in an hour-long block but in view of its success, airing network Antena 3 decided to extend episodes to 90 minutes with the inclusion of new games within the show. La Ruleta de la Suerte airs weekdays between 12:30pm and 2:00pm.

[edit] Turkey

The main wheel template used for Turkey's current version. Note the slant of the wedges which are unique to this wheel.

The first version of Çarkıfelek ran in the June 1, 1992, and was hosted by Tarık Tarcan on Show TV. The program became a legendary after Mehmet Ali Erbil took the show. It currently airs on FOX Türk and is the only version of the Wheel of Fortune that airs live. The Tarık Tarcan version of Çarkıfeleks shopping similar of 1981-1989 U.S. daytime version of Wheel of Fortunes shopping.

There are two major differences in the bonus round compared to the US version:

• Players now blindly chose three of 24 envelopes hidden behind four notes in the word.
• The free letters used are B, C, D, Y, Z, and I.

In the present version, there are temporary wedges on the wheel:

• Basket (Sepet): If a contestant comes to this wedge, he or she wins a present from the basket. But to win the present, he or she have to choose a consonant. If the consonant are revealed if they appear in the puzzle, she wins the present.
• Market (Çarşı): If a contestant comes to this wedge, he or she gains a credit to go to the market. To be able to go to the market, he or she have to choose a consonant. If the consonant appears in the puzzle, the consonant will be able to go to the market. There are many items, such as notebook, plasma TV, washing machine etc. at the market. The consonant have to pick the items he or she wants within 25 seconds.
• 1 million: This wedge is played exactly like the 2008 US version, only without Bankrupts/Iflas beside it.
• Surprise: The Mystery Wedge round in the US version; the value is 1,000 points if a player declines to go for the prize under the wedge.
• Holiday' (Tatil): If a contestant comes to this wedge, the host pauses the contest for a while and contestants take a break by dancing. At the end of a pause, the contestant who comes to this wedge have to choose a consonant. If the consonant appears in the puzzle, she wins a holiday in a hotel.

Recently, the live broadcast vehicle of Çarkıfelek wanders throughout Turkey and enters houses in a town to find a contestant in the town.

[edit] United Kingdom

[edit] United States

[edit] Other countries

Other countries that air "Wheel of Fortune" include Kurdistan, Indonesia (Roda Impian), Vietnam (Chiếc nón kỳ diệu), Thailand (part of program ยามดึกกับช่อง 2 (Late night with TV2)) Ecuador (La Rueda de la Fortuna, for Ecuavisa), and Argentina (aired live twice a day under the names Tiempo Límite FAN [Time Limit Fan] and Tiempo Límite ATP [TV-G Time Limit]).

SoapNet's website (specifically, the part where they discuss Soap Stars on Wheel of Fortune week) reveals that versions have also aired in the Czech Republic, Estonia, India, and Latvia.

[edit] See also

• List of television show franchises

[edit] Past broadcasts

Other countries that have had the show include Croatia (Kolo Sreće), Colombia, Finland (Onnenpyörä), South Korea, Israel (Galgal HaMazal), Slovenia (Kolo sreče), Greece(Ο τροχός της τύχης), Slovakia, Panama in a 2001 weekly prime time version called La Rueda de la Fortuna broadcasted in TVN, and Sweden (where it was called Lyckohjulet and was aired on TV3).

[edit] References

v • d • e Wheel of Fortune American TV series 1983–present syndicated version · 1975–1991 daytime version · Wheel 2000 International versions Wheel of Fortune (Australia, 1981–2006) · Million Dollar Wheel of Fortune (Australia, 2008) · Roda a Roda (Brazil) · Lykkehjulet (Denmark) · La Roue de la Fortune (France) · La Ruota Della Fortuna (Italy) · Wheel of Fortune (Philippines) · Koło Fortuny (Poland) · Pole Chudes (Russia) · Wheel of Fortune (United Kingdom) · Chiếc nón kỳ diệu (Vietnam) · Ratas Fortuny (Lithuania) · Other international versions Cast and crew Creator: Merv Griffin Hosts: Edd Byrnes (pilot) · Chuck Woolery · Pat Sajak · Rolf Benirschke · Bob Goen · David Sidoni (Wheel 2000) Announcers: Charlie O'Donnell · Jack Clark · M. G. Kelly · Don Pardo Hostesses: Susan Stafford · Vanna White Misc. Video games