The “Lucky Case Game” from the smash hit Endemol USA series “Deal or No Deal” has passed the 57 million total entry milestone, it was announced today by Endemol USA and NBC. Having already launched “Deal or No Deal” as an interactive hit in 34 countries, Endemol USA has now successfully introduced the concept of participation TV to a US audience with NBC being the first network to air this type of show.

“Deal or No Deal” is the largest cross-carrier premium SMS event in US history, available to over 210 million wireless subscribers and everyone in the US via the internet. Moreover, participation and voting in the “Lucky Case Game” has multiplied by ten times over last season and to date, the “Lucky Case Game” has paid out over $1 million to at-home winners.

The show which airs Monday, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8-9 p.m. ET/PT on NBC is hosted by actor/comedian Howie Mandel and produced by Endemol USA, gives on-screen contestants a chance to win $1 million and change their lives.  And every week, millions of viewers share in the excitement by playing along at home with the “Lucky Case Game” where they have a chance of winning $10,000.

All viewers have to do to play the “Lucky Case Game” is to select from among six gold cases held by six of the show’s signature Lucky Case Models. Viewers can participate either by sending a text message to 59595 from their mobile phones or via an online entry form available at www.nbc.com/DOND. Then later in the show, when the actual lucky case is revealed, a winner is picked at random from among the entrants who chose that case.

The winner’s name and hometown are then announced live at the end of the each show — with in the different times zones across the continental United States - one in Eastern/Central (ET/CT), one in the Mountain (MT), and one in the Pacific (PT). 

“With ten years of interactive television experience behind us, we are delighted to bring this exciting new concept to the US with our partners at NBC,” said Jon Vlassopulos, Vice President, New Media & Business Development, Endemol USA, “Giving people a way to interact with their favorite television shows from home via interactive channels is the way the business is evolving and Endemol USA is proud to be leading the way.”

Based on the successful format from Endemol that has aired in over 35 countries, “Deal or No Deal” is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. David Goldberg is the president of Endemol USA. “Deal or No Deal” is executive produced by Scott St. John. m-Qube, the mobile channel enabler, provided the backend technology platform used for the “Lucky Case Game”.

About Endemol USA Endemol USA has established itself as one of the leading suppliers of non-scripted programming in the U.S. The company’s current hits include “Fear Factor,” “Big Brother,” and “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”. In 2004 “Fear Factor” made television history becoming the first prime time network reality show to make it into off network syndication.  Today, Endemol USA draws on a library of more than 500 formats, 400 program series and 25,000 hours of broadcast television in 26 nations worldwide. In addition, the company develops original formats for the U.S. and international markets.  Endemol USA also produces extensive content and editorial services to support online and wireless platforms.

About m-Qube m-Qube, a wholly owned subsidiary of VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), is a leading mobile channel enabler that helps companies develop, deliver and bill for mobile content, messaging and applications. VeriSign operates intelligent infrastructure services that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about the company is available at www.verisign.com.