NBC has renewed the popular, global, game show “Weakest Link” for a third season, co-produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions and Universal Television Alternative Studio.“I’m very much looking forward to a third season of mocking contestants and encouraging discord," host and executive producer Jane Lynch said.
“Weakest Link” is produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group. Ryan O’Dowd serves as executive producer for BBC Studios. Stuart Krasnow, who executive produced the original NBC run, serves in the same role and is also showrunner. Lynch also executive produces, along with Aaron Solomon. The network has greenlit 20 episodes of the fast series hosted by Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch, who continues to executive produce.
The show is a British import based on the quiz show format distributed by BBC Studios. Production on the new season is set to begin this fall. Distributed by BBC Studios has been produced in 46 territories around the globe over the past two decades, with more than 1,500 episodes having aired in the U.K. alone.
The show attracted U.S. audiences on NBC, reaching more than 17 million viewers this season across linear and digital platforms. Its current summer run has improved NBC’s Monday 10 p.m. timeslot by double-digit percentages across the board, including an increase of 30% in the 18-49 demo and up 26% in total viewers.
“Weakest Link” is casting now for its third season. In each episode, eight contestants enter the studio as total strangers but must work together to bank the maximum amount of prize money available in each round. The contestants take turns to answer general knowledge questions to build chains of correct answers. Consecutive correct answers greatly increase the value of the chain, while incorrect answers break the chain and force the contestants to start over on the lowest rung with the smallest amount money. At the end of each round, contestants vote to eliminate the fellow contestant they consider to be the “Weakest Link” in the chain. The contestant who receives the highest number of votes leaves the game as the host declares the iconic phrase, “You are the Weakest Link. Goodbye.”