The New York Times’ hugely popular word puzzle game Wordle is set to become a primetime television show on NBC. Today co-host Savannah Guthrie will host the series when it premieres in 2027.
NBC has officially approved the project, which Universal Television Alternative Studio will produce in collaboration with Jimmy Fallon’s production company. This move is one of the more surprising developments in game show history — taking a free, online daily puzzle and turning it into a full primetime broadcast.
From Five-Letter Words to Prime Time
If you haven’t tried Wordle yet, here’s a quick rundown: you have six chances to guess a secret five-letter word. The game reveals which letters are correct, which ones are in the wrong spot, and which aren’t in the word at all. Most players spend about two to five minutes each day on it. The challenge for a TV format is clear — how do you turn that into an hour of engaging entertainment?
Neither NBC nor the NYT has detailed how the game mechanics will adapt to a studio setting. Yet, game show producers have a track record of taking simple ideas and adding time pressure, prize money, and live audience energy to make them captivating. Just look at how Wheel of Fortune turned a basic word game into a decades-long ratings winner, or how Who Wants to Be a Millionaire made multiple-choice questions genuinely thrilling.
Savannah Guthrie’s a solid choice for host. She has a large built-in audience from her Today show role, and she’s openly discussed her Wordle obsession on air. She’s not just a hired host; she’s a genuine fan of the game.
The NYT’s Expanding Games Empire
Wordle was created by software engineer Josh Wardle (yes, that’s a pun) as a gift for his partner during the pandemic. It became a viral sensation in late 2021 and was acquired by The New York Times in January 2022 for a reported price in the low seven figures. Since then, the NYT has made it the centerpiece of a wider games strategy that includes Connections, Strands, and the Mini Crossword.
A TV show seems like the next logical step for the NYT Games brand, allowing people to interact with it beyond a browser tab or app. This also brings Wordle to an audience that may not be playing online — older viewers who watch NBC primetime but haven’t downloaded the NYT Games app.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| NYT Acquisition Price | Low seven figures (reported) |
| Acquisition Date | January 2022 |
| Original Creator | Josh Wardle |
| Game Show Host | Savannah Guthrie |
| Producer | Universal Television Alternative Studio / Jimmy Fallon’s production company |
| Network | NBC |
| Planned Debut | 2027 |
What This Means
If you’re a regular Wordle player, don’t worry — this won’t change how you play online. The daily puzzle on the NYT site and app isn’t going anywhere. But if the show takes off, expect increased cross-promotion, possibly themed puzzle words connected to episodes, and maybe sweepstakes or viewer participation that links the TV show to the app.
For those who’ve never played Wordle, the show could serve as a great introduction. Game shows often bring people into new activities — many started doing crosswords after watching someone tackle one on TV.
This situation highlights a shift in media strategy. The NYT isn’t just a newspaper or a digital publication anymore. Between Wordle, Connections, The Athletic, and now a network TV deal, it’s becoming a multi-platform entertainment entity. A successful primetime game show could expose its brand to millions who’ve never visited nytimes.com.
What People Are Saying
“I genuinely cannot imagine this being 30 minutes long, let alone an hour. But I said the same thing about Jeopardy! when I was a kid so what do I know.”
“Savannah Guthrie literally talks about her Wordle score on the Today show all the time. This is perfect casting actually.”
What To Watch
- 2027: The show’s planned debut time on NBC. No specific premiere date has been announced yet.
- Coming months: Keep an eye out for NBC to reveal format details, including how the five-guess mechanism will function with contestants and whether there will be team play or solo rounds.
- NYT Games earnings calls: The New York Times has reported subscriber growth largely driven by its Games products. A TV deal might boost that even further. Look for the company to mention the partnership in upcoming investor updates.
- Jimmy Fallon’s involvement: His production company’s role is described as a partnership, not just a producing credit. Watch to see if he appears on-screen as a recurring guest or helps shape the show’s comedic tone.
Maya Torres
Maya Torres is the Consumer Tech Editor at Explosion.com with 7 years covering product launches for major technology publications. She has reviewed over 300 devices across smartphones, laptops, wearables, and smart home products. Maya specializes in translating spec sheets into real-world buying advice and attends CES, MWC, and Apple keynotes as press. Her reviews focus on helping readers decide what to buy, not just what specs look good on paper.
