The New York Times is making a big new play to keep the Wordle phenomenon going, and this time it’s stepping far beyond your phone screen. The company announced that Wordle is being adapted into a televised game show set to air on NBC next year, signaling just how confident the Times remains in the staying power of its most famous word puzzle.
The upcoming series will be hosted by “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie. She revealed the news on the morning broadcast alongside Jimmy Fallon, who will also be involved as a production partner. The pair shared that this Wordle game show has been in the works for roughly two and a half years, suggesting the idea was brewing well before the latest wave of TV game show revivals.
NBC is describing the show as fast-paced and built for family viewing. That’s a notable shift from the original Wordle experience, where players typically take their time, carefully weighing letter patterns and narrowing down options over several thoughtful guesses. Translating that quiet daily brain teaser into a high-energy TV format will be part of the challenge—and the appeal—especially if the show can capture the “one more try” tension that made the game a daily habit for millions.
For The New York Times, the move is more than a pop-culture moment. It’s also a business milestone: the first time the media company has teamed up with a TV broadcaster on an entertainment-focused program. As the industry continues to grapple with declining print revenue, the Times has been doubling down on digital subscriptions and expanding beyond traditional news. Its games portfolio has become a key part of that strategy, helping attract and retain subscribers who may come for puzzles and stay for the broader bundle.
Wordle’s origin story is already modern internet legend. The game was created by Josh Wardle, a Brooklyn-based software engineer, and launched online in October 2021. It quickly spread through social media thanks to its simple design and shareable results grid. The New York Times acquired Wordle in January 2022, and the title rapidly helped introduce “tens of millions” of new players to the Times’ growing games ecosystem.
That growth has been massive. NYT Games reports that players completed more than 11 billion puzzles across its games over the last year, rising from 8 billion in 2023—a clear sign that daily puzzles remain a powerful draw even as digital trends come and go.
Production is moving quickly. NBC is expected to begin filming episodes this summer, and casting is already underway as the network searches for contestants ready to put their word skills to the test. For fans of Wordle and TV game shows alike, the next chapter of the puzzle’s evolution is about to begin—this time with buzzers, bright lights, and a national audience.
