Wordle was created five years ago by Josh Wardle as a private game for his partner|Kurinurm|CC BY-SA 4.0
NBC is turning the viral word puzzle “Wordle” into a primetime game show, with Savannah Guthrie set to host the series when it premieres in 2027, the New York Times announced yesterday.
The half-hour show will feature teams of three players competing for a huge cash prize, similar to the hit mobile game.
Producers plan to keep the game’s familiar colors and design. Filming will take place in Manchester.
The move marks another step in the publication’s expansion beyond news. But it will be the first time that it’s entering primetime entertainment on a major TV network.
Wordle was created five years ago by Josh Wardle as a private game for his partner. The puzzle exploded in popularity in 2022, leading the NYT to acquire it. The company said a TV adaptation has been in development for several years.
Its Games app, which includes Crossword and Spelling Bee, has become one of the company’s most successful products since it bought Wordle in 2022 for low seven-figures.
NBCUniversal also plans to license the “Wordle” format globally, allowing international versions in other languages.