WHEEL OF FORTUNE, which has ranked as television’s #1 syndicated series every year since its premiere, marks its historic 27th season with all new shows beginning on Monday, September 14, 2009. With over 11 million viewers daily, syndication’s longest-running, most successful series continues to attract a larger audience than most primetime TV shows. During this anniversary season, viewers will be treated to rarely seen flashbacks of unforgettable moments with hosts Pat Sajak and Vanna White.

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WHEEL OF FORTUNE - FUN FACTS

Since its debut in 1983, Wheel of Fortune has awarded more than $190 million in cash and prizes to its contestants.

On September 11, 2006, Wheel of Fortune and its sister show Jeopardy! were the first syndicated shows to broadcast in High Definition.

On October 14, 2008, newlywed Michelle Loewenstein became the biggest winner on Wheel of Fortune, winning $1 million. Until then, “The Bold and the Beautiful” star Jack Wagner and his partner Christine Denos of San Jose, Calif., were the big winners with $142,550 in cash and prizes during “Soap Stars Week” in 2006. Wagner donated his share to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Since 1988, Wheel of Fortune has taped in 58 locations, in 25 different cities, in front of live audiences of more than 350,000 fans.

In 1992, the “Guinness Book of World Records” listed Vanna White as the world’s most frequent clapper. Vanna puts her hands together for contestants some 28,080 times a season — an average of 720 times per show.

Pat received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994 but there is a mistake on the tribute. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce placed a film camera on the star instead of a TV set.

Wheel of Fortune has been produced “locally” in 45 territories. International broadcasters license the format rights and produce the show in their own languages.

When athletes or celebrities appear on Wheel of Fortune, their winnings are donated to a charity of their choice. To date, Wheel of Fortune has donated over $5 million to charity.

Wheel of Fortune was a sponsor of the 1996 Olympic Games. That year, Vanna White and Pat Sajak each carried the Olympic Torch on different legs of the domestic relay.

The puzzle board contains 52 touchscreen monitors, 12 across in the top and bottom rows and 14 across in the two middle rows.

Over 90 million Americans have never known a world without Wheel of Fortune.