"Back in 2021, a Welsh software engineer named Josh Wardle released a web-based game called Wordle. The game was simple enough. Sort of like hangman, players had six chances to guess a five-letter word, using clues from each attempt to narrow down the answer."
"In January 2022, The New York Times - looking to add subscribers through alternative avenues such as cooking and games - purchased Wordle for "an undisclosed price in the low seven figures." Since then, the game, which releases just one word a day, has only grown more popular. Millions of people play daily, perhaps 3 or 4 million."
"On Monday, it was announced that Wordle will become a prime-time TV gameshow on NBC, and it will be hosted by "Today" show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie. The show will be produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio in partnership with the Times and the production company run by "Tonight Show" host Jimmy Fallon."
"The Times has been a part of TV before, especially documentaries based on its journalism. But this is the first time the news organization is involved with a prime-time entertainment program on a major broadcaster. The series will be filmed in England and begin airing on NBC sometime next year."
Wordle launched in 2021 as a simple web game where players guess a five-letter word in six attempts using color-coded clues. It grew from a game for friends and family into a daily global phenomenon with millions of players. In January 2022, The New York Times acquired Wordle for a low seven-figure price. The game continues to release one word per day and remains widely played. In 2026, Wordle is set to become a prime-time NBC gameshow hosted by Savannah Guthrie, produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio with partnerships involving the Times and Jimmy Fallon’s production company. The show will be filmed in England and air on NBC next year.
Read at Poynter
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