C4 challenges contestants to pull off the perfect heist

Channel 4 has commissioned Remarkable Television (an Endemol company) to produce The Bank Job (w/t), a week-long live event on Channel 4 giving viewers the chance to pull off the ultimate heist. The programme will be presented by a big name host to be announced.

Each night of the week four players are taken to a bank vault filled with hundreds of thousands of pounds of real money. They play a high jeopardy, competitive game of knowledge, judgement and luck. By the end of the night one will be leaving with a briefcase full of cash - the other three will be going home empty-handed. But this is actually just the beginning for our nightly winners .... on the final night the five winners from the five shows will return with the money they've won, pooling it together to compete against each other in a nail biting, winner-takes all final. It's the ultimate showdown with a huge twist that could see one player walk out of the bank with the entire prize pot - a life-changing fortune.

The Bank Job requires nerve and knowledge.  In each timed round, twenty-five safety deposit boxes contain different amounts of cash.  Players answer general knowledge questions on the buzzer and a correct answer allows them to pick a safety deposit box and keep the money inside. But time in the vault is limited so players face a major dilemma.  Stay in the vault to get more cash and they might be left inside when the time runs out - but bail out early and they risk being left with the least money which also leads to elimination.

Online is a crucial element in The Bank Job. A month before the show starts an online game will launch which will also be the only way to become a contestant on the show. The game will be a compelling online experience that mirrors the TV programme; when the show goes on air even more viewers will be able to play online for a chance to compete live on Channel 4 later in the week.

Justin Gorman said; "This is the next step in interactive game shows. At its heart is a simple yet brilliant game mechanic which will provide scale and tension. It will push the contestants to the edge and be an amazing experience for them and viewers at home will feel it too".

David Flynn, Managing Director at Remarkable Television said; "This game is simple and addictive and plays out differently every time. It will feel like no other game show as all our contestants will have played the game online before they play for real money - but will the strategies they've developed work under pressure?"

The Bank Job is being made for Channel 4 by Remarkable Television and will air in early 2012. Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 is Madeleine Knight. Multiplatform Commissioning Editor is Jody Smith.  Executive Producers at Remarkable Television are David Flynn and Tom Blakeson.