"Scrabble"
Fremantle announced the acquisition of international production and tape distribution rights to The CW’s hit US TV game show "Scrabble", from Hasbro Entertainment and Mattel. Under the new deal, the company will produce the brand-new series for audiences around the world. Originally developed and produced by Hasbro Entertainment, Mattel Television Studios and Lionsgate Alternative for The CW, David Garfinkle, Gabriel Marano, and Michelle Mendelovitz served as executive producers.
"Scrabble" has cemented its status as one of the most iconic board games in the world over its 80-year history; selling more than 165 million sets worldwide in 28 languages across more than 120 countries. This new format will tap into that power of the Scrabble IP. The classic word game Scrabble has been entertaining US audiences and is now ready to go global. Fremantle holds international and distribution rights to the original US format.
In the US, the Scrabble gameshow launched on The CW in October 2024, hosted by Raven-Symoné. Scrabble continued to rank as one of the top series on The CW during the 2024/25 broadcast season. In each episode, wordsmiths battle it out by playing a series of Scrabble-inspired word games on a giant Scrabble board in the centre of the set. Two pairs of players progress through three acts of unscrambling and creating words for the chance to win a cash prize. Our acquisition of the production rights will enable us to create a fresh, engaging take on the classic game for international territories.
Michela DiMondo, EVP, International Distribution, Fremantle Canada, praised the classic game: ‘Partnering with an iconic brand like 'Scrabble' is an innovative moment for Fremantle as we continue to expand our global footprint. This collaboration not only strengthens our commitment to creating compelling, internationally resonant content but also showcases what can be achieved with creative partners such as Hasbro Entertainment and Mattel. We are thrilled to acquire distribution rights from The CW to bring this legendary format to new audiences and elevate its legacy through our global network," commented.
Meanwhile, Vasha Wallace, EVP, Global Acquisitions and Development, Fremantle, highlighted that it is a powerful IP with broad recognition among audiences:“The 'Scrabble' television series is the winning formula of what we know broadcasters worldwide are looking for right now - proven IP and strong audience recognition with a very cost-effective production model. Scrabble has already been a huge ratings success on The CW Network in the US and with word games super-hot in popularity around the world , there has never been a better time to bring this mega brand to new markets," stated.
The partnership marks a significant step in our strategy to expand our portfolio of iconic game show IP, following the success of other legacy formats such as "The Price is Right", "Deal or No Deal", and "Family Feud". The format is particularly timely given the popularity of online word games today and the rise of word game influencers who share their gameplay and strategies to tens of thousands of followers on social media.