Filmed in NEOM, 100 participants from the Arab world will compete for $1m grand prize LONDON: MBC announced the launch of “Ard Al-Million” — or “Million Dollar Land” — a new adventure reality TV that will see 100 participants from across the Arab world compete for the chance to win a $1 million grand prize. The new TV show, filmed in Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, is based on the international Dutch-founded format, “Million Dollar Island.” “The program’s idea is unique, revolving around competitions lasting for 40 days in total. The participants will live together through the good times and the bad,” the show’s producer, Hussein Jaber, said. “Audiences are in for a gripping and tense competition full of twists and turns!” Produced in partnership with Blue Engine Studios, “Ard Al-Million” will be hosted by Saudi actor Mohamed El Shehri. The game show is a social experiment-style reality TV show that challenges 100 contestants to survive in the harsh Saudi Arabian desert for 40 days. Upon arrival, each contestant will be given a numbered bracelet worth $10,000 and put into groups so the group is in possession of 100 bracelets worth $1 million in total. While in NEOM, contestants will be able to gain and lose bracelets through various challenges, but if they are eliminated for any reason, they will not be able to take any of the money they have made so far. The challenges will test contestants’ mental and physical abilities, as well as their social skills. Participants will need to form alliances, make deals, and be prepared to betray others in order to survive and win the grand prize. “With the goal being to collect the largest possible number of bracelets, contestants will not only have to compete smartly, but also forge the right friendships in the process. They all want to be able to walk away with that $1 million total in the end,” continued Jaber. “But part of the thrill lies in the competition’s unpredictability since only those who choose to leave the competition are the ones who get to offer their bracelet to another competitor. So, friendships forged might not necessarily pay off!” “Ard Al-Million” will broadcast every Wednesday night on MBC Group’s TV channels, MBC1 and MBC IRAQ and on Shahid from May 3.