The Today anchor is officially bringing the viral word game to primetime television alongside producer Jimmy Fallon

Savannah Guthrie Lands Major New NBC Hosting Role

May 11, 2026 – Savannah Guthrie is officially stepping into the world of primetime game shows after NBC announced she will host a television adaptation of the wildly popular word puzzle game Wordle.

The project, currently titled Wordle Game Show, is being produced by Jimmy Fallon in partnership with NBC and The New York Times, which acquired Wordle in 2022 following the game’s explosive viral success.

The announcement was revealed during Today, where Fallon joined Guthrie live on-air to celebrate the news after reportedly developing the concept together for more than two years.

Credit: NBC

Wordle Is Officially Expanding Beyond Phones

Originally created as a simple online word puzzle, Wordle quickly became one of the internet’s biggest cultural phenomena after launching publicly in 2021.

The game’s daily five-letter puzzle format inspired millions of users worldwide to share scores online, turning Wordle into a social media obsession almost overnight. Wordle later became one of The New York Times’ most successful gaming properties after the publication acquired it.

NBC’s television adaptation now represents the franchise’s biggest expansion yet, transforming the simple puzzle concept into a full-scale entertainment competition series.

According to early reports, the show will feature teams competing to solve Wordle-inspired puzzles for cash prizes and rewards.

Jimmy Fallon Helped Develop the Project

Jimmy Fallon reportedly played a major role in helping turn Wordle into a television format.

During the announcement, Fallon explained that the idea had been in development for roughly two-and-a-half years alongside The New York Times. He praised Guthrie as the perfect host because of both her broadcasting experience and genuine love for the game itself.

Fallon’s production company, Electric Hot Dog, is helping produce the series together with Universal Television Alternative Studio.

Fans online reacted positively to Fallon’s involvement, especially because he frequently incorporates games and audience participation into his late-night television style already.

 

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Guthrie Says the Show Will Be Fun and Family-Friendly

Savannah Guthrie expressed excitement about the project during the live announcement, calling the game show “full of joy.”

The Today anchor described the series as fast-paced, educational, and family-friendly while emphasizing how long she had secretly waited to share the news publicly.

Guthrie is already widely known among viewers as a devoted Wordle fan, making the hosting role feel especially natural to many audiences online.

NBC executives reportedly viewed her enthusiasm for the puzzle as one of the key reasons she became attached to the project from the beginning.

Fans also praised the choice because of Guthrie’s calm and relatable on-screen personality.

The Announcement Comes During an Emotional Year

The hosting announcement arrives during a deeply emotional year personally for Savannah Guthrie.

The Today co-anchor recently returned to television following a leave of absence connected to the disappearance of her mother Nancy earlier this year. Guthrie has spoken publicly about the emotional impact of the ongoing situation while continuing to balance work and family responsibilities.

Several entertainment outlets noted that Guthrie described the Wordle project as something positive and uplifting during an otherwise difficult period in her life.

That emotional context made the announcement resonate even more strongly with longtime viewers.

Credit: WireImage

NBC Continues Investing in Nostalgic and Interactive TV

The Wordle adaptation also reflects television networks’ growing interest in interactive, recognizable, and nostalgia-driven formats.

Game shows based on familiar brands, mobile games, and internet trends have increasingly become attractive to broadcasters searching for broad audience appeal. Wordle’s universal simplicity and massive online popularity make it especially suited for television adaptation.

NBC reportedly plans to premiere the show in 2027, with filming expected to begin later this summer. Contestant casting is already officially open.

Industry analysts believe the combination of Wordle’s popularity, Fallon’s involvement, and Guthrie’s mainstream appeal gives the project strong commercial potential.

Fans Are Already Curious About the Format

Following the announcement, social media users immediately began speculating about how the game will work on television.

Many fans wondered whether contestants will solve giant live puzzles, compete head-to-head, or play collaboratively in teams. Others joked that watching people panic under time pressure while guessing five-letter words could become surprisingly addictive television.

The curiosity surrounding the format itself helped the announcement trend heavily online throughout the day.

Because Wordle already encourages competitive score-sharing among players digitally, many viewers believe the concept naturally translates into a televised competition setting.

Credit: NBC

Final Thoughts

Savannah Guthrie officially hosting NBC’s new Wordle game show marks a major expansion for one of the internet’s most recognizable modern puzzle games. With Jimmy Fallon producing and The New York Times involved creatively, the project already carries significant attention heading into production.

As networks continue searching for interactive and broadly accessible entertainment formats, Wordle’s transition from viral phone game to primetime television series feels like a natural next step. For Savannah Guthrie, the project also represents an exciting new chapter beyond morning television while bringing one of her favorite games to an even larger audience.

FAQs

Q1. What new show will Savannah Guthrie host?
She will host NBC’s upcoming Wordle game show.

Q2. Who is producing the Wordle game show?
Jimmy Fallon is executive producing the series.

Q3. Which company owns Wordle now?
The New York Times owns the game.

Q4. When will the Wordle game show premiere?
NBC plans to launch the series in 2027.

Q5. What kind of show will it be?
It will be a fast-paced, family-friendly word competition series.