New York Times to launch Wordle game show on NBC in 2027
Hosted by Savannah Guthrie and produced with Jimmy Fallon, the fast-paced family game show will premiere next year after two-and-a-half years of development.
The New York Times has announced plans to transform its popular mobile word puzzle, Wordle, into a televised game show set to air on NBC. This marks the publication's first collaboration with a television broadcaster for an entertainment-based program, representing a significant expansion of the digital sensation into traditional broadcast media.
The series is scheduled to premiere in 2027, with production partners including The New York Times, Jimmy Fallon via his company Electric Hot Dog, and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Development of the fast-paced family game has been underway for two-and-a-half years, and NBC is set to begin filming episodes this summer.
Savannah Guthrie, anchor of the Today show, will host the affair. The show is described as a "great family game" that shifts away from the solitary, contemplative nature of the mobile app, which often requires long periods of thought. This format change aims to create a high-energy, collaborative viewing experience distinct from the original five-letter word game.
The initiative aligns with The Times' broader strategy to build a sustainable digital subscription business as print revenue continues to decline. Since acquiring the title in January 2022, the publication has rapidly expanded its user base, reporting over 11 billion puzzles played across its games portfolio last year, an increase from 8 billion in 2023.
Originally released in October 2021 by software engineer Josh Wardle in Brooklyn, Wordle has become a cultural phenomenon. NBC is currently accepting applications for contestants as it prepares to launch the primetime adaptation, marking a new chapter for the brand beyond its mobile origins.
