The Mint

The etv media group was commissioned by ITV to create an interactive gameshow to be aired late nights on ITV1 and ITV2 as well as being broadcast on ITV's new interactive channel, ITV Play. We worked closely with ITV's commissioner and the interactive team to ensure the format would meet ITV's objectives and have the potential to be developed.

Create an entertaining format which would provide a strong revenue stream for ITV
Meet ITV's brand values and seamlessly fit within ITV's programme portfolio
Challenge the existing call TV channels in the market and any new entrants

Launched on the 31st March this year, The Mint was broadcast four hours a night, four nights a week. It was shot at the Mint "Mansion" at Maidstone Studios and was hosted by Brian Dowling and a number of other experienced presenters.

The set had a sophisticated yet cosy look and feel and there were different zones, such as a living room, in which games were played.

Players participated by calling into the studio and answering puzzles, ranging from the easy to the very difficult.

If players got through to the next round, they had the chance to crack the code for "the vault", where they could have won a cash prize jackpot of£,000. The show also featured celebrity guests and pre-recorded interviews.

The Mint gave away more than £4 million in prize money and received over 35 million viewer calls since launch. Firmly established as one of the UK's most popular late night gameshows, a second series of the show was commissioned.

Australia's Network Nine, Middle Eastern Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Nigerian technology solutions provider, MTech Communications have all licensed the format including the complete puzzles database set for the programme.