How does 99 to Beat work? ITV show rules explained - and who presents it

• 99 to Beat is ITV’s newest game show.
• It is described as ‘Squid Game meets It’s a Knockout’.
• But how does it work?

ITV’s new game show 99 To Beat continues this week, but you might not yet have tuned in. It is part of the broadcaster’s Saturday night offering in spring 2025.

Adam and Ryan Thomas host the new show, which has been described as ‘Squid Game meets It’s A Knockout’. It will be followed by the latest episode of Britain’s Got Talent.

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But what exactly is 99 To Beat? Here’s all you need to know:

How does 99 to Beat work?

ITV’s new game show is based on a Belgian TV show which first started in 2018. It has since been adapted across Europe and it finally arrives in the UK.

In its review of the show, the Radio Times describes it as “Squid Game meets It’s a Knockout”. It will see “100 ordinary people compete in a series of simple games to win a cash prize, all they have to do is not finish in last place”.

Players who finish in last place during a game are eliminated with this continuing until one winner remains.

The preview for the third episode adds: “Sixty-three players remain and are tasked with knocking over a balloon with a rubber band slingshot, balancing ten nails on top of a single nail and estimating the number of peas in a bottle to try and avoid elimination.”

What time is 99 to Beat on and how to watch?

The show will make its debut on ITV this evening (April 5). It is due to start at 6pm and will run until approximately 7pm, around an hour including ad-breaks.

It will be broadcast on ITV1/ 1HD but if you can’t watch it live, the show will be available on catch up via ITVX.

Who presents 99 to Beat?

The British version of the show, which starts on ITV today (March 22), is hosted by Adam and Ryan Thomas. The brothers have had long careers in the public eye, with Ryan first finding fame as Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street before winning both Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice.

Adam Thomas started out as Donte Charles on Waterloo Road - initially appearing on the show from 2006 to 2009, before returning for the reboot in 2023. After leaving the BBC show in 2009, he joined Emmerdale and played the character of Adam Barton until 2018.

Their other brother Scott Thomas recently appeared on Love Island: All Stars, a spin-off of the hit reality show on ITV2. He quit during the show and ended his time early in the villa.

Are you planning to watch 99 to Beat this evening? Let me know your thoughts on the show by email: [email protected].