Grab a dictionary. NBC is bringing Wordle to television.
The network has officially greenlit a primetime game show based on the viral word puzzle, with production set to begin later this year ahead of a planned 2027 debut.
The show will be produced by NBC alongside The New York Times, Universal Television Alternative Studio and Jimmy Fallon’s production company, Electric Hot Dog.
According to the Times, the TV adaptation will keep the familiar five-letter puzzle format while expanding it into a team competition. Contestants will compete in groups inside a “Wordle arena,” solving puzzles head-to-head for a cash prize.
Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the Today, is set to host the series. The Times said Guthrie was chosen partly because of her longtime enthusiasm for the game.
“It builds on the way the puzzle community engages with Wordle every day — solving together, sharing wins, debating strategies and cheering one another on,” the Times said in a release announcing the project.
The newspaper also said it “carefully considered” its production partners before moving forward with the adaptation. Fallon’s company already produces NBC game shows including Password and That’s My Jam – both can be found on Peacock.
Wordle was created by software engineer Josh Wardle and exploded in popularity after launching publicly in 2021. The simple web-based guessing game quickly became a daily habit for millions of players sharing scores and strategies online.
The New York Times acquired Wordle in early 2022. Since then, the franchise has expanded into a board game through Hasbro and multiple digital spinoffs.
The television version marks the biggest expansion yet for the puzzle phenomenon as networks continue searching for recognizable brands that can translate into event-style game shows.