Keith conjures up massive hit with game show
Friday November 20 2009
TV HIT: Deal Or No Deal's Keith Barry with player Anna Lee TV3 has received a massive boost in the ratings war after pulling in nearly 600,000 viewers for Keith Barry's new game show.
Deal Or No Deal was watched by an average of 582,000 people when the two 30-minute programmes aired for the first time last Friday, despite going up against RTE's 9 o'clock news.
And station bosses at Ballymount are confident that the show's popularity will only continue as the hordes tune in to see up to €250,000 being given away.
"We are going to keep the programme going indefinitely, certainly well into the New Year and for the foreseeable future. We're over the moon with its success," said a TV3 spokesperson.
Run in conjunction with the National Lottery, the programme has been given a budget of an estimated €2m, one of the biggest amounts ever allocated to a TV3 show.
It is the first such role for magician Keith, who recently suffered the loss of his grandfather Paddy, following a break-in at the pensioner's home.
"I'm relying solely on my personality to win over the viewers," said Keith. "There's no magic involved so I'm hoping that people will enjoy watching me as a host."
The show, which is screened in more than 60 countries around the world, has a unique twist in Ireland. The main player is assisted by 25 of their most-trusted family and friends as they pit their wits against unseen opponent The Banker.
- Melanie Finn
