The show first premiered on March 7, 1973 and was based on the Martin Caidin novel "Cyborg" (which was the working title of the series during pre-production). Following three television pilot movies (which all aired in 1973), "The Six Million Dollar Man" began airing as a regular TV series on January 18, 1974. The show also produced a spin-off series, The Bionic Woman, starring Lindsay Wagner. On March 6, 1978, the show ended after 5 seasons and 101 episodes.