Squid Game: The Challenge is making history as they offer the biggest prize money to date for any reality TV series, but it doesn’t beat an iconic game show.

The hit Netflix series Squid Game saw 456 players battling it out for ₩45.6 billion ($35.7 million), and while the platform is bringing the thriller show to life through Squid Game: The Challenge, the prize money isn’t as impressive. Don’t get me wrong, the real jackpot is still a life-changing sum as it tops the chart for the biggest prize money win in TV history.

Squid Game: The Challenge prize money is a whopping seven-figures

Squid Game: The Challenge players will compete in eight games and the last person standing will win $4.56 million. That’s more than a private jet, which reportedly goes for $3 million minimum.

The winner would also have quite a few options if they choose to splurge on a home. How about Bradley Cooper’s first-ever home in Los Angeles for $2.4 million? Or perhaps the house Jennifer Aniston lived in during her Friends days? It’s currently on the market for $2.6 million.

It’s too bad the Squid Game prize money wasn’t an additional $500K, the winner would’ve been able to buy both.

The reward is the largest single prize in television history.

While the reality show will closely resemble the original thriller, including the set designs and games, we’re happy to announce that contestants won’t be killed if they fail a game. Instead, they’re just eliminated from the game. However, additional money won’t be added to the prize pot. If you remember, ₩100 million was added to the jackpot whenever a character died in the TV show.

7 Biggest single prize money wins in TV history

$4.56 million is a jaw-dropping amount, but it’s not the highest amount ever won. That title goes to several famous game shows.

#7: Ashlee Register – $1,795,000 (Duel)

Tallahassee, Florida native Ashlee Register became the highest-winning female game show contestant in the US after she took home $1.795 million on ABC’s Duel. The shortlived game show premiered in December 2007 and one week later, the registered nurse won the grand prize.

#6 Ed Toutant – $1,860,000 (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)

Then 50-year-old contestant Ed Toutant won the reward on the progressive jackpot edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? in 2001.

The winning question: “During WWII, US soldiers used the first commercial aerosol cans to hold what?”
A. Cleaning fluid, B. Antiseptic, C. Insecticide, D. Shaving Cream.

Toutant used his 50/50 lifeline and correctly answered C. Insecticide.

#5: Brad Rutter – $2,100,000 (Jeopardy!)

Brad Rutter won $2.1 million during the Ultimate Tournament of Champions in 2005. But his total Jeopardy! winnings stand at $5,038,436. He appeared in the quiz competition at least eight times since 2001. His lowest win was $100K.

#4: Kevin Olmstead – $2,180,000 (Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?)

Two-time Jeopardy! champion Kevin Olmstead won his biggest prize in Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? US season 1.

The winning question: “Who is credited with inventing the first mass-produced helicopter?”

Olmstead correctly answered: “Igor Sikorsky”.

#3: James Holzhauer – $2,464,216(Jeopardy!)

James Holzhauer walked away from Jeopardy! with $2,464,216 after a 33-episode run in 2019. However, his overall winning sum from the show is $3,464,216 over four appearances.

#2: Ken Jennings – $2,522,700 (Jeopardy!)

Ken Jennings won over $2.5 million during his original 75-episode run in 2004. He has appeared on the series on six separate occasions before coming part-time host. His total Jeopardy! prize money is $4,522,700.

#1: Andrew Kravis – $2,600,000 (The Million Second Quiz)

Andrew Kravis was the first and only grand winner of NBC’s The Million Second Quiz, hosted by Ryan Seacrest. The game show required contestants to answer trivia questions in less than one million seconds.