Three contestants compete by spinning the Wheel and calling out consonants to solve puzzles for cash or prizes. Contestants with enough money can buy vowels for $250 each. The contestant who solves the puzzle wins the prizes they have amassed through the round.

Wheel of Fortune has been on the air in some form since 1975. The current nighttime version, which began in 1983, has accounted for over 30 seasons in its own right. Merv Griffin first conceived Wheel in 1973 while his other major creation, Jeopardy!, was in its tenth year on NBC.

1975 "Wheel of Fortune" debuted as a daytime series in 1975 on NBC. The syndicated nighttime version of the show followed in 1983. In the many decades since, the two versions of the show have featured several hosts.

The median “Wheel of Fortune” viewer is in the oldest age bracket that Nielsen tracks: “65+.” (The median ages of many of the higher-rated entertainment shows in prime time in the most recent television season - “Survivor” (62.1), “Abbott Elementary” (60.2), “The Voice” (64.8) - are not far behind.)

Contestants guess letters as they attempt to solve a Hangman-like puzzle, spinning the wheel to determine how much money they will earn for a correct guess, with the ultimate goal being to solve the puzzle and accumulate as much money as possible.

And there's this wheel this wheel. In tv is worth money in our classroom it's worth points. So what i like to do is divide the class into multiple teams in my opinion.

Contestants guess letters as they attempt to solve a Hangman-like puzzle, spinning the wheel to determine how much money they will earn for a correct guess, with the ultimate goal being to solve the puzzle and accumulate as much money as possible.

wheel of fortune. noun. (in mythology and literature) a revolving device spun by a deity of fate selecting random changes in the affairs of man: Often shortened to: wheel.

Merv Griffin Conception and development. Merv Griffin conceived Wheel of Fortune using inspiration from hangman, which he would play with his sister on family road trips. After he discussed the idea with Merv Griffin Enterprises' staff, they thought that the idea would work as a game show if it had a "hook".

One of the most-watched shows on television, "Wheel of Fortune" was renewed for five more years and ABC stations will continue to broadcast the syndicated show through 2027-2028, CBS Media Ventures said in a statement in January.

The show has aired continuously since January 1975. It features a competition in which contestants solve word puzzles, similar to those in hangman, to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a giant carnival wheel. The current version of the series, which airs in nightly syndication, premiered on September 19, 1983.

Harry Friedman, “Wheel's” executive producer since 1999, says the essence of the show's success is simple: “Likeability: that's a quality that's hard to come by, but when you meet someone and you like them immediately, you know you have something special,” he says. “They are a huge part of the success of the show.