The New York Times is turning its popular Wordle game into a television show, with NBC set to air the series starting next year. Savannah Guthrie, anchor of the “Today” show, will host, with Jimmy Fallon and The Times as production partners. Guthrie and Fallon made the announcement during the “Today” show broadcast at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, revealing that the game show has been in development for two and a half years.
Wordle's Evolution
The transformation of Wordle into a televised format marks the first entertainment-based collaboration for The Times with a TV broadcaster. The move represents another strategic shift by The Times to expand its digital subscription business amidst declining print revenues. Wordle, created by software engineer Josh Wardle in October 2021, gained massive popularity as an online puzzle game. The New York Times acquired the game in January 2022, significantly boosting its user base.
Game Show Format
The upcoming Wordle game show is described as “fast-paced” and “family-friendly,” a contrast to the leisurely pace of the original mobile game. NBC plans to start filming this summer and is currently seeking contestants. This adaptation aims to capture the essence of the original while bringing it to a broader audience.
Impact on NYT Games
Since acquiring Wordle, The Times has seen substantial growth in its games division. As of last year, users played over 11 billion puzzles across The Times' game offerings, up from 8 billion in 2023. This collaboration with NBC is expected to further enhance the reach and impact of The Times' gaming content.
Production and Development
The involvement of Savannah Guthrie and Jimmy Fallon adds star power to the project, with Fallon bringing his experience as the host of “The Tonight Show.” The partnership underscores The Times' commitment to innovative content delivery, as it continues to explore new avenues for engagement and revenue.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/11/nyts-wordle-to-become-a-tv-game-show/
