Australian actress Rebecca Gibney has been confirmed as the host of the revived Millionaire Hot Seat, set to air on Channel Ten in 2026. The Halifax f.p., 60, will become the first woman to front the long-running Australian game show, replacing Eddie McGuire after decades at the helm. The announcement marks a milestone for a program that began life on Nine and became a fixture of Australian primetime quiz television for more than a decade. Gibney responded to the news with gratitude and enthusiasm, telling followers on social media that she has admired the program for years and that stepping onto its set represents both a challenge and an opportunity to connect with audiences in a new era for the franchise.
Her post included a note of humility and anticipation: 'Cat's out of the bag! I am honoured to be stepping onto the set of a show I have been a fan of for many years,' Gibney wrote. She added that while nerves might appear, there would be 'a lot of love, laughter' and a 1,000 percent effort. The announcement follows months of speculation about who would replace Eddie McGuire, the longtime host who steered the show on Nine from its 2009 debut until its 2023 hiatus. The revival will be produced by Curio Pictures, the Melbourne-based company behind Shark Tank and The Artful Dodger, and will air on Ten with Paramount+ involvement in Australia. The original run of Millionaire Hot Seat delivered thousands of dollars to contestants and cemented the format as a staple of Australian game shows, though it ended its years-long run on Nine in 2023 after more than 2,500 episodes.
Production plans for the revival call for filming to begin in September in Melbourne, with Ten and Paramount Pictures Australia signaling a broader push to revive classic formats for 2026. The producers invited hopeful entrants to come forward on the show's website, seeking 'energetic, confident trivia lovers from all walks of life' who could handle the fast-paced, audience-interactive rounds that have defined Hot Seat for years. Ten has not yet announced a premiere date for the new season, though network executives have indicated they will unveil 2026 content as part of an upfront presentation in the coming months. The revival represents a strategic collaboration between Ten and Paramount, leveraging Curio Pictures' track record in unscripted and scripted formats.
Industry observers note the move comes as Ten looks to expand its non-scripted slate with refreshed formats and recognizable brands. Gibney's appointment has drawn public support from fellow Australian celebrities, with comments praising her warmth and versatility. Georgie Parker labeled Gibney a LEGEND and Jessica Rowe cheered the news as BEST. Melissa Doyle joined in with congratulations as comments flowed in from fans and colleagues who have long followed Gibney's career across television and film.
Paramount Australia Vice President of Content Tamara Simoneau welcomed Gibney to the project, saying the company has admired her work across stage and screen and praising her as one of Australia's most beloved stars. The statement underscored the parent company's commitment to reviving quintessential formats with contemporary, regionally relevant hosts; Simoneau noted Gibney's warmth and enthusiasm as qualities that would resonate with contestants and audiences alike as they chase trivia glory and a substantial cash prize.
This revival comes after a hiatus that began when Nine pulled Millionaire Hot Seat from original screens in 2023, ending a run that had included more than 2,500 episodes and millions in prize money awarded to contestants. The move to Ten and Paramount+ reflects a broader market trend of reviving legacy formats for new audiences and cross-platform distribution. Channel Ten has previously revived other classic formats, and the 2026 rollout is expected to be accompanied by digital and streaming components as part of a wider content strategy. The show's shift from Nine to Ten mirrors broader shifts in Australian TV networks vying for audience engagement through familiar properties with modern production values.
As casting and production advance, fans can anticipate a familiar quiz structure updated for contemporary audiences, with Gibney guiding contestants through rounds of trivia and quick-fire questions as they chase both glory and substantial prizes. The project also serves as a bellwether for Ten's 2026 programming strategy, signaling a willingness to invest in star-driven, high-visibility formats that can travel to streaming platforms and possibly international markets through Paramount+. While the exact premiere date remains unannounced, the network and producers are expected to share details at forthcoming industry events and upfront presentations.