Nicky Byrne's Million Euro Challenge

Got it? NOT a permanent replacement - which means that the 'Streak WILL return, almost certainly in the summer.

Anyway, according to the Irish Times, the National Lottery created this new show as part of a bid to boost sales, following its partial change of ownership.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/media-and-marketing/national-lottery-to-launch-new-big-money-tv-game-show-1.2027034

However, the cynic in me says that that wasn't the only reason - that the show was also created because Dermot Griffin and his men still want to give away a million euro on Saturday night RTE1, but having tried and failed to do so on the 'Streak throughout 2014, they knew that it was time to find another way.

In any case, the show was officially launched on Thursday, with Nicky Byrne confirmed as the host. Apparently, he's "thrilled" about it...

“I’m really excited about the show airing in the New Year. I’ve been working with the Million Euro Challenge team learning all about the new games and I think the format of the show is brilliant."

Yes... indeed. :rolleyes:

The first series starts on 10 January, and runs until the end of May. And if a million isn't given away during that time, then I'm sure that there'll be a second series from September to December (assuming the 'Streak does indeed air in June, July and August).

And if a million is given away... no doubt it will be life-changing for the players that win it, and it will finally satisfy Griffin and Co, but I hardly need to say that it won't be anywhere near as thrilling to watch as someone getting the 15th question right on a certain other game show with the word "million" somewhere in its title...