ABC Network opts to air 'Billion'

The billion-dollar showdown will be part of ABC's summer promotions.
ZAP2IT.COM
ABC, already mired in a dismal fourth-place season, is picking up the leftovers from its fifth-place competition. The network will partner with Pepsi for a September "Play for a Billion" special.
Last September, airing on The WB, "Play for a Billion" drew 4.3 million viewers, and nobody actually won a billion dollars. ABC's installment will air Sept. 12 at 8 p.m. and Damon Wayans will replace Drew Carey as host.
Last year's results
Although there's no word on whether Carey's monkey will return for the new special, most of the ground rules appear to be the same. Once again, 200 people will take part in the final showdown for a billion dollars, with the winner taking home a guaranteed million. Last year's winner was Richard Bay, a 42-year-old high school teacher from Princeton, W.Va., who missed out on the magic billion dollars but still seemed happy enough to have become an instant pre-tax millionaire.
"We are thrilled to partner with ABC on what could be a record-breaking event," says Dave Burwick, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Pepsi-Cola North America. "ABC's lineup of popular comedy shows and talented stars will introduce millions of viewers to our promotion and give Pepsi drinkers the opportunity of a lifetime."
Coke drinkers, apparently, need not apply.
ABC will tie the Pepsi promotion into its "Summer of a Billion Laughs." During a seven-week period, ABC will run a series of sweepstakes to offer seven viewers the chance to be part of that pool of 200. Thus, Coke drinkers will have to watch "My Wife and Kids" if they want to win the big bucks.
"Pepsi 'Play for a Billion' is designed to be among TV's most eagerly anticipated events this year," adds a hopeful Dan Longest, senior vice president of integrated marketing and promotion at ABC.