‘Scrabble’ Gameshow Rights Acquired by Fremantle in Global Deal

variety.com:

Naman Ramachandran Fremantle is betting big on letters, acquiring international production and distribution rights to “Scrabble,” the gameshow adaptation of Hasbro and Mattel’s iconic wordplay board game that has been performing well for The CW since its October launch.

The deal gives Fremantle the keys to a format that has been one of The CW’s bright spots in the 2024-25 broadcast season. The U.S.

version, hosted by Raven-Symone, pits word warriors against each other on an oversized Scrabble board where contestants advance through three rounds of word-building challenges for cash prizes.

For Fremantle, the acquisition represents a strategic move to capitalize on the global resurgence of word games, with the company pointing to the rise of word game influencers who have amassed substantial social media followings. “Partnering with an iconic brand like ‘Scrabble’ is an innovative moment for Fremantle as we continue to expand our global footprint,” said Michela DiMondo, executive VP of international distribution at Fremantle Canada.