The Most Popular Quiz Show on TV, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the quiz show you think is the most popular!

Updated on May 4, 2024 06:46

Selecting a quiz show to watch can sometimes feel like a challenge amidst the multitude of options available on television. Having a well-organized list that ranks these shows according to viewer preference can simplify the decision-making process. This helps in identifying which quizzes consistently captivate audiences and maintain high engagement levels. By participating in this ranking, users have the opportunity to influence which shows appear as top recommendations, ensuring the list remains reflective of current popular opinion. Your votes directly impact the list, making it a great resource not just for discovering leading quiz shows, but also for seeing how others react to the various twists and formats that different shows offer.

What Is the Most Popular Quiz Show on TV?

1

58
votes
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy! is a popular quiz show that tests contestants' knowledge in a variety of categories. It has been on the air since 1964 and has become a staple of American television.
Jeopardy! is a popular quiz show on TV that tests contestants' knowledge in a wide range of categories. The format of the show involves contestants selecting clues from various categories and providing their responses in the form of a question. It is known for its unique gameplay and challenging questions.

Premiere Date: March 30, 1964

Host: Alex Trebek

Runtime: Approximately 30 minutes

Episodes: Over 8,000 (as of 2020)

Categories: Various subjects ranging from history to pop culture
2

33
votes
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

This quiz show, which originated in the UK, asks contestants a series of multiple-choice questions with increasing levels of difficulty. It has been adapted in many countries around the world, including the United States.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? is a popular quiz show that originated in the United Kingdom and has been adapted into various versions around the world. Contestants have the opportunity to win a large cash prize by correctly answering a series of multiple-choice questions.

First Aired: 4 September 1998

Hosted By: Chris Tarrant (UK original)

Broadcasters: ITV (UK original), ABC (US version), and numerous others worldwide

Format: Multiple-choice questions with increasing difficulty levels; Contestants use lifelines to seek assistance

Jackpot: Varies depending on the version; Typically a large sum of money (e.g. $1 million)
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular trivia game
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular Trivia app
3

25
votes
The Chase

Fintan Coyle

This British quiz show features four contestants who must work together to beat a professional quizzer known as "The Chaser." It has become popular in the UK and has been adapted in other countries, including the United States.
The Chase is a popular quiz show on TV that originated in the United Kingdom. It is a high-stakes game where contestants compete against a professional quizzer known as the 'Chaser' to win a cash prize. The show involves a series of questions covering a wide range of topics, with the contestants trying to answer as many as possible correctly to build up their prize fund. At the same time, the Chaser attempts to catch the contestants by answering questions correctly and preventing them from moving forward. The game concludes with a Final Chase, where the remaining contestants work together to try and outrun the Chaser and secure their prize.

Broadcast Country: United Kingdom

Original Language: English

Genre: Quiz Show

First Aired: June 29, 2009

Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes
4

34
votes
U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan Clement · Public domain

Wheel of Fortune

Merv Griffin

This American game show has been on the air since 1975 and challenges contestants to solve word puzzles. It is known for its iconic spinning wheel and has become a cultural phenomenon.
Wheel of Fortune is a popular quiz show that has been airing on television since 1975. It is a game of words and phrases where contestants spin a giant wheel to determine the cash amount they can win, and then try to solve the puzzle by guessing letters.

First Aired: January 6, 1975

Genre: Quiz show

Host: Pat Sajak

Co-host: Vanna White

Network: Syndicated
5

14
votes
ABC Television · Public domain

Family Feud

Mark Goodson and Bill Todman

This American game show pits two families against each other as they try to guess the most popular answers to survey questions. It has been on the air since 1976 and has become a beloved television classic.
Family Feud is a popular quiz show on TV where two families compete against each other to guess the most popular answers to survey questions. The show was created by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman.

Host: Steve Harvey

Format: Team-based quiz show

Premiere Date: July 12, 1976

Running Time: 30 minutes (excluding commercials)

Number of Rounds: Usually 5 rounds
6

14
votes
Pointless

This British quiz show challenges contestants to come up with answers that are both correct and obscure. The goal is to score as few points as possible, and it has become popular in the UK and other countries.
Pointless is a British quiz show that has gained popularity for its unique concept and entertaining format. It is a general knowledge quiz where contestants are tasked with providing the most obscure answers to questions. The show aims to find the least popular answers, and points are awarded based on how many survey respondents gave the same answer. Contestants strive to score as few points as possible to win the game.

First premiered: 24 August 2009

Number of seasons: 24

Hosted by: Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman

Broadcasted on: BBC One

Episodes per season: 180
7

6
votes
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Mark Burnett

This American game show asks adult contestants to answer questions from elementary school textbooks. It has been on the air since 2007 and has become a popular family-friendly show.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a popular quiz show that tests the knowledge of adult contestants against questions from elementary school curriculum. Each episode features adult contestants answering a series of multiple-choice questions in subjects like math, science, social studies, and more. The main twist of the show is that contestants can seek help from a panel of actual 5th-grade students to assist them in answering the questions correctly. The show aims to determine if adults can recall basic knowledge that is typically learned in primary school.

First aired: February 27, 2007

Running time: Approximately 30 minutes

Number of seasons: 6

Number of episodes: 119

Original network: Fox
8

15
votes
Mastermind

This British quiz show challenges contestants to answer questions on a specialized subject of their choice. It has been on the air since 1972 and has become a staple of British television.
Mastermind is a popular code-breaking game that challenges players to decipher a secret code within a set number of attempts. It is played on a board with pegs of different colors, and the objective is to guess both the correct colors and their correct positions in the code. The game requires logical reasoning and deduction skills.

Number of Players: 2

Components: Game board, code pegs, key pegs

Code Length: 4 to 6 pegs

Number of Colors: 6 to 8 colors

Number of Attempts: 10 to 12 attempts
9

3
votes
The Weakest Link

Fintan Coyle

This British quiz show features contestants who must work together to build a prize fund, but one player is voted off after each round. It has been adapted in many countries around the world, including the United States.
The Weakest Link is a popular quiz show that first aired in the United Kingdom in 2000. It is a game of knowledge and strategy where contestants attempt to win as much money as they can by answering questions correctly. The show follows a unique format, aiming to identify and eliminate the weakest contestant after each round. At the end of each round, all contestants must vote for who they believe is the 'weakest link.' The contestant with the most votes becomes the 'weakest link' and is eliminated from the game. The process continues until only one contestant remains, who then competes in a final round to win the prize money. The show is known for its stern and witty host, Anne Robinson, who often adds an element of tension and drama to the gameplay. The Weakest Link has been adapted and aired in various countries worldwide, achieving significant success.

First Aired: 2000

Gameplay Type: Quiz Show

Elimination Method: Contestant Voting

Host: Anne Robinson

Number of Contestants: 8
10

6
votes
University Challenge

This British quiz show features teams of university students who compete against each other in a battle of wits. It has been on the air since 1962 and has become a beloved institution in the UK.
University Challenge is a popular quiz show on television that tests the intelligence and knowledge of student teams from different universities. The show requires contestants to answer a wide range of questions covering various subjects such as history, science, literature, and current affairs. It is known for its challenging questions and fast-paced format, making it a highly competitive and exciting game for both the participants and viewers.

Number of contestants: Four per team

Format: Single-elimination tournament

Broadcasting network: BBC

Age limit: 18 or older

Host: Jeremy Paxman

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular quiz show

Longevity

The duration for which a quiz show has been running on TV is also an essential factor. Shows that have been airing for a longer time are likely to have a loyal fan base and are generally considered more popular.
Audience Engagement

A popular quiz show should have high audience engagement, i.e., the extent to which viewers participate in or interact with the show. This could be through live audience participation, phone-ins, or online engagement, such as voting or playing along with the show using an app.
Critical Acclaim

Critical reviews, awards, and recognition from industry professionals can also serve as indications of a quiz show's popularity. A show that receives positive reviews and accolades will likely be more popular than one that doesn't.
Social Media Presence

A show's popularity can also be gauged by its presence on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. A higher number of followers, likes, and shares can demonstrate that a quiz show has a significant fan base and is popular among viewers.
Host Popularity

A quiz show's popularity can also be influenced by the host's popularity. A well-known, charismatic, and liked host can attract more viewers to a show.
Production Quality

High production values and quality can also contribute to a quiz show's popularity. Shows with impressive sets, visuals, and sound quality are likely to be more popular than those with low production values.
Format and Content

A unique, exciting, and informative format can contribute to a quiz show's popularity. Shows that offer a variety of challenging questions, engaging gameplay and interesting themes are more likely to be popular among viewers.
Accessibility

A popular quiz show should be accessible to a wide range of viewers. This means it should be available across various platforms (cable, satellite, streaming services), have flexible airing times, and possibly have subtitles or dubbing options for viewers who speak different languages.
Cultural Impact

Finally, a popular quiz show should make a cultural impact. This means it should have the ability to generate conversations, inspire memes or catchphrases, and otherwise contribute to the larger cultural zeitgeist.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular quiz show on TV. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or quiz show is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2975 views
203 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each quiz show once every 24 hours. The rank of each quiz show is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular quiz show on tv

Background Information: Quiz shows have been a staple of television programming for decades, entertaining audiences with their challenging questions and exciting gameplay. From classic game shows like Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune to more recent hits like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and The Chase, quiz shows continue to captivate viewers around the world. With so many shows to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which quiz show reigns supreme in terms of popularity. However, by analyzing ratings data and social media buzz, we can gain insight into which quiz shows are capturing the hearts and minds of audiences today. Join us as we explore the most popular quiz shows on TV, and discover which ones are truly worth tuning in for.

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