Current Status and Quick Answer
Press Your Luck in its original CBS daytime form ran from September 19, 1983 to September 26, 1986, making it on the air for just over three years (about 39 weeks per season, 1,396 episodes total). A syndicated revival hosted by Peter Tomarken aired in first-run from September 1988 to June 1989. Later revivals include a 2002–2003 series with Todd Newton and the 2019–2021 CBS reboot with Elizabeth Banks. The original network run ended more than 35 years ago, so the show has not been newly broadcast on CBS in that span, though repeats and reboots keep it in circulation.
What “How Long Has Press Your Luck Been On” Means
Interpreting the Question
When asking how long a television show “has been on,” people usually want to know one of three things:
- When the program first began and whether it is still producing new episodes.
- How many years have passed since its premiere or since its last new episode.
- Whether a current version, reboot, or streaming availability counts as the show being “on.”
For Press Your Luck, the answer depends on which era you mean: the original CBS daytime run, the syndicated revival, or one of the modern reboots. Below is a concise, factual breakdown of each period.
Key Broadcast Periods
| Period | Role | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1986 | Original CBS Daytime Series | September 19, 1983 – September 26, 1986 | About 39 weeks per season; 1,396 episodes produced. |
| 1988–1989 | First Syndicated Revival | September 1988 – June 1989 | Hosted by Peter Tomarken; first-run syndication. |
| 2002–2003 | Second Revival (Game Show Network) | August 2002 – June 2003 | Hosted by Todd Newton; limited run on cable. |
| 2019–2021 | CBS Reboot | September 2019 – June 2021; subsequent seasons through 2023–2024 | Hosted by Elizabeth Banks; primetime CBS and streaming via Paramount+. |
Original Run Timeline
The original Press Your Luck debuted on CBS Daytime on September 19, 1983, and concluded on September 26, 1986. It aired new episodes five days a week and produced about 1,396 episodes over three seasons (using the standard 52-week yearly cycle, minus holiday breaks and occasional preemptions). It replaced Card Sharks in the schedule and was later replaced by Home in most markets. After 1986, no new daily episodes were produced for broadcast television until the first syndicated revival in 1988.
Revival and Reboot History
1988 Syndicated Revival
The first syndicated revival aired in first-run from 1988 to 1989 with host Peter Tomarken. It did not match the daily pace of the original, producing a smaller episode order for weekend or strip syndication in some markets. This version is occasionally replayed on programming blocks devoted to classic game shows.
2002–2003 Revival on Game Show Network
In the early 2000s, Press Your Luck aired on Game Show Network with Todd Newton as host. This revival leaned into both the classic format and updated digital enhancements, but it ran for a single season and did not lead to ongoing production.
2019–2021 CBS Reboot with Elizabeth Banks
In September 2019, CBS launched a primetime reboot hosted by Elizabeth Banks. New episodes aired on CBS and were streamed on Paramount+. The show adopted modern visuals, increased cash stakes, and integrated social media interaction during select episodes. Production continued through 2021 across multiple seasons, with reruns and streaming availability extending its reach beyond original air dates. This iteration represents the most recent period in which new Press Your Luck episodes were regularly broadcast on a major U.S. network.
How to Define “On” for Game Shows
In the context of long-running formats, whether a show is “on” can mean several things:
- First-run broadcast: Actively producing and airing new episodes to linear television.
- Syndication/reruns: Older episodes airing in repeats, which can create the perception that the show is still on.
- Streaming and franchise extensions: Availability on platforms like Paramount+, or revivals that reboot the format with new hosts and rules.
- Cultural continuity: The Whammy and gameplay elements remain widely recognized, contributing to an ongoing legacy even when no new episodes are in production.
For Press Your Luck, first-run new episodes have not aired on CBS since 1986, but the franchise has seen multiple revivals and a recent primetime reboot, so the show has periodically been “on” in some form for more than 40 years across platforms.
Legacy and Cultural Presence
Long after its daytime finale, Press Your Luck remains recognizable for its iconic Big Board, the animated villain the Whammy, and the catchphrase “Press your luck!” The show’s format—spinning a board to earn spins and cash, then risking them on trivia—has become a staple of game show design and has influenced programs both domestically and internationally. Clips and moments from the show continue to circulate on social media and in retrospective programming, supporting a durable presence in popular culture.
Conclusion: How Long Has It Been On?
To state succinctly how long Press Your Luck has been on: the original CBS daytime version ran for about three years from 1983 to 1986. No new daily episodes have aired on CBS since then, but through syndicated revivals in 1988–1989, a 2002–2003 cable revival, and a 2019–2021 primetime reboot, the franchise has been active in some form for more than 40 years. There is currently no new first-run linear broadcast of the show, but streaming and special continuations keep the program in circulation, shaping its ongoing legacy.