NBC is bringing the digital word puzzle craze Wordle to television, tapping Today anchor Savannah Guthrie to host a primetime game show adaptation. The network announced Monday that the program will pit contestants against each other in a “supersized battle of smarts, speed and fun,” centered on solving five-letter word puzzles.
The show is a collaboration between NBC, The New York Times—which acquired Wordle in 2022—and Jimmy Fallon’s production company, Electric Hot Dog. Fallon, a longtime Wordle enthusiast, has frequently incorporated the game into his late-night monologue. The Times has been exploring TV or video extensions of the Wordle brand for some time, according to company leadership.
“Teaming up with Jimmy Fallon to develop the game for NBC was a perfect fit,” said Caitlin Roper, the Times’ executive editorial director of film and TV. “We wanted to honor the specific thrill of Wordle, the way people play and share their scores with each other, but also make something new for TV.”
Roper highlighted Guthrie’s personal connection to the game, noting she is a “passionate Wordle player” who once solved a puzzle live on air in Times Square. “No one gets what our contestants will go through like she does,” Roper added.
Guthrie’s involvement comes amid a deeply personal tragedy. In an interview with the Times, she revealed that Wordle was one of the ways she stayed connected with her mother, who disappeared earlier this year. The Today anchor acknowledged the emotional weight of taking on a game show role while grieving. “It’s strange to get up and do the ‘Today’ show every day, and it’s strange to say that I’m going to do a game show when your heart is broken,” she said. “Nothing about that has changed, and it’s not easy. But I’m determined to put one foot in front of the other. And this is a joyous thing.”
The abduction of Guthrie’s mother, Nancy Guthrie, remains an active investigation. Authorities have deployed advanced DNA sequencing in the case, as reported by The World Signal, and the FBI has raised concerns about being shut out of the probe for days. Sheriff Nanos has signaled a potential breakthrough even as he faces a removal threat.
Wordle’s transition to television reflects its status as a cultural phenomenon, drawing millions of daily players worldwide. The game’s simple premise—guess a five-letter word in six tries—has spawned a global community of solvers who share strategies and results on social media. NBC’s announcement emphasizes that the show “builds on the way the puzzle community engages with Wordle every day—solving together, sharing wins, debating strategies and cheering one another on.”
For The New York Times, the TV adaptation is part of a broader strategy to extend its digital properties into other media. The company has previously turned its popular crossword puzzles into books and apps, but Wordle represents its most ambitious leap into broadcast entertainment. The partnership with Fallon, whose late-night show has a strong digital footprint, also signals the network’s intent to capture younger viewers who already engage with Wordle online.
The show’s format will retain the core mechanics of the original game while adding a competitive, time-pressured element for television. Contestants will face off in a “supersized” version of the puzzle, though specific rules and prize structures have not yet been disclosed. NBC has not announced a premiere date.
Beyond the entertainment angle, Wordle’s workplace impact has been a topic of debate. Some employers view it as a harmless brain-training exercise, while others see it as a productivity drain. The show’s launch is likely to reignite conversations about the game’s role in daily life, especially as it moves from phone screens to network television.
