NBC Confirms Wordle Primetime TV Show Hosted by Savannah Guthrie

NBC has confirmed plans for a primetime TV show based on the popular online word game Wordle, set to air next year.

The program, filmed in Manchester, England, will air in both the UK and US. Savannah Guthrie, anchor of NBC's morning news show Today, will host.

The show draws from the daily puzzle game run by the New York Times since 2022. Players must guess a five-letter word in six tries or fewer.

Jimmy Fallon, host of a US late-night chat show, will co-produce through his company Electric Hot Dog. He said he felt "very honoured to be working with Savannah Guthrie on this show."

Filming was delayed after Guthrie's 84-year-old mother, Nancy, went missing in February. Guthrie took an extended break from Today and returned in April.

Guthrie has said the word game was a point of connection with her mother, who remains missing.

Fallon added in his statement: "Savannah has that rare combination of intelligence, charm, and warmth that makes everyone feel instantly welcome. And she obviously knows how to host a show. I am super proud and happy and I think we developed a solid gamer for prime-time."

Each 30-minute episode will feature contestants competing for a cash prize. The series will use Wordle's typeface and color scheme.

The New York Times collaboration with NBC follows its expansion into games apps, including the Crossword, Spelling Bee and Wordle.

Welsh software engineer Josh Wardle created Wordle in 2021. The New York Times acquired it in 2022, the year it became the most Googled word. Wardle recently told The Sunday Times: "I haven't played since the day I sold it."