NBC Orders ‘Wordle’ Game Show Hosted by Savannah Guthrie

The wildly popular online word game “Wordle” is officially making the jump to television.

NBC announced Monday that it has ordered a prime-time “Wordle” game show hosted by Savannah Guthrie. The show is expected to premiere sometime in 2027.

The network is already casting contestants for the first season, with teams of three players competing for a large cash prize.

“Wordle” was originally created by software engineer Josh Wardle as a personal game to play with his partner. The simple word puzzle exploded in popularity in 2022 before being acquired by The New York Times.

According to executives involved with the project, a television adaptation has been in development for several years.

Caitlin Roper, executive editorial director of film and TV at The New York Times, said producers wanted to capture the same excitement and social aspect that made the daily puzzle a worldwide phenomenon.

The project is a collaboration between The New York Times, NBCUniversal, and the production company founded by late-night host Jimmy Fallon.

Fallon joined Guthrie on the “Today” show Monday morning to announce the new series and preview footage from a pilot episode taped last year.

“It’s the first game in like decades that everyone plays and everyone talks about,” Fallon said during the announcement.

Guthrie said she often plays the game with her children and is excited to bring the popular puzzle format to television audiences.

NBCUniversal also says the “Wordle” format could eventually expand internationally, allowing local-language versions of the show to air in other countries.