The gripping, nail-biting TV game show Digicel Deal or No Deal will premiere on local TV next Wednesday night.

Jamaica is one of the more than 100 countries which have a version of the popular game show, which originated in the Netherlands in 2001.

The first episode will be aired on TVJ at 8 p.m. next Wednesday.

Hosted by Simon Crosskill, Digicel Deal or No Deal is an exhilarating game show where contestants play and deal for a top prize of $1 million in a high-energy contest of nerves, instincts and raw intuition.

Each week, the game of odds and chance unfolds when a contestant is confronted with 26 women holding 26 sealed briefcases full of varying amounts of cash - ranging from a measly $1 to a whopping $1 million. Without knowing the amount in each briefcase, the contestant picks one -his/hers to keep, if he/she chooses - until its unsealing at the end of the game.

The risk element kicks in when the player must then instinctively eliminate the remaining 25 cases, which are opened and the amount of cash inside revealed.

Mounting pressure

The pressure mounts in each round, after a pre-determined number of cases are opened, the participant is tempted by a mysterious person known only as 'The Banker' to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant's chosen briefcase - prompting Simon to ask the all-important question - Deal or no deal?

Viewers at home will also have a chance to win up to $100,000 each week through text messages.

TVJ's General Manager Kay Osborne believes the show will be a big hit in Jamaica.

"TVJ is pleased to be a partner in bringing the Digicel Deal or No Deal series to local television screens. We are delighted to provide Jamaican families with another solid hour of fun and entertainment each week during this difficult period," said Osborne.