Photo via Fast Company
NBC has greenlit a prime-time game show centered on Wordle, the viral word-puzzle phenomenon that has captivated millions since its 2021 launch. The series will be hosted by Today anchor Savannah Guthrie, a self-professed Wordle enthusiast, and will be executive produced by Jimmy Fallon and The New York Times, which acquired the game in 2022. According to NBC, the show represents a natural extension of the network's established legacy in the game show format.
The format will challenge contestants playing in teams of three to solve five-letter word puzzles with a speed element added to the traditional daily game. Casting is currently underway, with interested participants able to apply at wordle.castingcrane.com and required to submit their Wordle statistics as proof of proficiency. The show is scheduled to debut in 2027, giving producers time to develop the concept that has been in development for several years.
Wordle's success has been remarkable since The New York Times acquired it for a reported low-seven-figure sum. According to the Times' general manager of games, tens of millions of players engage with the puzzle weekly, creating a robust community around the game. The title has also boosted subscriptions to the Times Games platform and complementary titles like Spelling Bee, demonstrating the commercial value of word-based gaming properties.
The expansion into television reflects broader entertainment industry interest in converting digital games into broadcast content. The human-curated approach that distinguishes Wordle from algorithmic games has fostered player loyalty and daily engagement patterns that network executives believe translate well to television. This adaptation could signal a broader trend of media companies monetizing successful digital properties across multiple platforms.
