Wordle to become TV quiz show with Savannah Guthrie as host
NBC has announced plans to transform the beloved online word game Wordle into a primetime quiz show, scheduled to debut in 2027. Filming will take place in Manchester, England, with broadcasts planned for both the UK and the US. Savannah Guthrie, the host of NBC's Today show, will lead the series, which is co-produced by Jimmy Fallon's Electric Hot Dog. Each 30-minute episode will feature contestants vying for cash prizes, showcasing the distinctive Wordle font and colors. The New York Times, which acquired Wordle in 2022, is partnering on this venture. Originally developed by Welsh software engineer Josh Wardle in 2021, Wordle became the most Googled word that year. Casting for the inaugural season is currently underway, with production beginning later this year, following a delay due to Guthrie's mother's disappearance in February.
Key facts
- Wordle to become a primetime TV quiz show on NBC, premiering in 2027.
- Savannah Guthrie will host the series.
- Jimmy Fallon's Electric Hot Dog will co-produce.
- Filmed in Manchester, England; broadcast in UK and US.
- Episodes last 30 minutes, replicating Wordle typeface and color scheme.
- Contestants compete for a cash prize.
- New York Times has owned Wordle since 2022.
- Wordle created by Josh Wardle in 2021, acquired by NYT in 2022.
- Filming delayed after Guthrie's mother Nancy went missing in February.
- Guthrie returned to Today in April after extended break.
- Casting open, production begins later this year.
Entities
Institutions
- NBC
- New York Times
- Electric Hot Dog
- The Sunday Times
Locations
- Manchester
- England
- United Kingdom
- United States