Game Show Network, the leader in game shows and competitive entertainment, announced today its new programming, as part of the network’s 2020 Upfronts, with more hours of original programming than ever in network history and a continued focus and commitment to the consistency of strip programming. Game Show Network has greenlit two new strip series, PEOPLE PUZZLER, based on the popular Puzzler crossword in PEOPLE, the No. 1 magazine brand in the country, which is owned by Meredith Corporation, and an all-star trivia show MASTER MINDS hosted by Emmy®-Nominated Game Show Host Brooke Burns featuring Ken Jennings. Returning series include the highly successful AMERICA SAYS for its fourth season, hosted by actor and Emmy®-nominated game show host John Michael Higgins (“Great News,” “Pitch Perfect”), which is the most-watched original series on the network among W25-54[i]. The reboot of audience favorite CATCH 21, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro (“Americas Funniest Videos”) with card dealer Witney Carson (“Dancing with the Stars”) has also been picked up following a successful fall 2019 debut with nearly +10% growth in total viewers vs prior four-weeks[ii]. The network’s other popular original, COMMON KNOWLEDGE, hosted by Joey Fatone (*NSYNC, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”),” a top 20-ranked program for its time period (Min:10T/C) [iii], and newly premiered GET A CLUE (January 2020), hosted by comedian and actor Rob Belushi (“How I Met Your Mother”), growing nearly +25% growth in total viewers vs prior four-weeks [iv], will remain on the schedule with new episodes.
The announcement of new programming follows yet another strong year for Game Show Network, which saw the adding of nearly 10 million new viewers to its air[v]. Additionally, the popularity of the network’s programming continues to be reflected on its social media platforms, with Game Show Network enjoying a 16% increase in followers over the previous year with Facebook in particular more than tripling its organic reach per post. [vi]
“Game Show Network has dedicated viewers who see us as a safe entertainment space for a multi-generational experience – good clean fun for grandparents, parents and kids to enjoy together,” said Fran Shea, executive vice president, programming and marketing for Game Show Network. “Whether it’s during the day, after-school or cellphone-free family moments in the evening, our originals AMERICA SAYS, COMMON KNOWLEDGE, CATCH 21 and GET A CLUE are engaging for the whole family.”
“Our investment in original programming has become a magnet for advertisers,” added John Zaccario, executive vice president, ad sales for Game Show Network. “The network’s success in content creation has generated excitement among a broad spectrum of audiences, and those audiences have proven to be highly valuable consumers of our advertisers’ brands.”
Additional announcements include:
New Series
Game Show Network will debut two new original series this year:
PEOPLE PUZZLER is scheduled for summer and is based on PEOPLE Magazine’s Puzzler, the long running and extremely popular crossword. In PEOPLE PUZZLER, three lucky contestants will put their pop culture knowledge to the test to complete iconic, PEOPLE PUZZLER crosswords. The player who has won the most points after three rounds will move on to the Fast Puzzle Bonus Round where they will have the opportunity to win a huge cash prize. The show is produced by Four M Studios and Start Entertainment, LLC for Game Show Network. Executive Producers are Scott St. John and Neal Konstantini for Start Entertainment, LLC and Bruce Gersh and Bruce Robertson for Four M Studios.
MASTER MINDS is scheduled for the spring and will be hosted by actress and Emmy®-nominated television host Brooke Burns (“Baywatch”; “The Chase”). The half-hour original series, features trivia experts and series regulars Ken Jennings (“Jeopardy!”) Muffy Marracco (“The Chase”) and Jonathan Corbblah (“Who Wants To Be A Millionaire”). In MASTER MINDS, three contestants square off against three trivia Master Minds in multiple rounds of intense trivia competition. The lowest scoring player on each side is eliminated until the top competitor and top Master Mind are left standing and now must face off, head-to-head, in the Ultimate Trivia Challenge. If the contestant can get more questions correct than the Master Mind, they will win $10,000 and come back to challenge the Master Minds again. If they win three games in a row, they join the ranks of the Master Minds and appear in one or more future episodes. MASTER MINDS is produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network. Brennan Huntington is executive producer.
Returning Series
Among the shows returning to Game Show Network with new seasons in 2020 are the survey-matching game show AMERICA SAYS, hosted by John Michael Higgins (“Great News,” “Pitch Perfect”), the fast-action series blending pop trivia and blackjack CATCH 21, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro (“Americas Funniest Videos”) and joined by card dealer Witney Carson (“Dancing with the Stars”). The knowledge-based game show and most-watched show among total viewers, COMMON KNOWLEDGE, hosted by Joey Fatone (*NSYNC, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”), and recently premiered word-guessing game GET A CLUE hosted by comedian and actor Rob Belushi (“How I Met Your Mother”), which launched in January 2020, remain on the schedule with new episodes throughout the year.
AMERICA SAYS, produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network, is based on a format by Keller/Noll. Jeffrey Breeden serves as executive producer. Tara Long and Mark Herwick of Entertainment One (eOne) and Dave Noll and Cleve Keller of Keller/Noll also serve as executive producers. CATCH 21 is produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network. Scott Sternberg and Merrill Heatter Productions, Inc. serve as executive producers. Jay Bienstock also serves as executive producer. COMMON KNOWLEDGE, produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network with Rich Sirop serving as executive producer. GET A CLUE is produced by Game Show Enterprises, LLC for Game Show Network. Craig Brooks serves as executive producer.
About Game Show Network, LLC
Game Show Network, LLC (“Game Show Network”) is the leader in game show entertainment across multimedia, which presents original and classic game programming and skill-based competitive entertainment and games via its top 30** rated cable network, the GSNTV.com website and its position as one of the leading social casino games companies in the world at GSN.com. Game Show Network LLC’s cross-platform content gives game lovers the opportunity to win cash and prizes, through its popular TV game shows and GSN Games’ free casual games, mobile and social games, and skill-game tournaments. Game Show Enterprises, the production arm of the network, develops and produces hundreds of hours of original episodes, making Game Show Network the premiere destination for fun, family-friendly programming. Game Show Network is distributed throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Canada by all major cable operators, satellite providers and telcos. Game Show Network is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment. For further information, please visit GSNTV.com.
**Source: Nielsen Media Research, NPower Time Period Report, P2+, Total Day, 12/31/2018 – 12/29/2019, CVG AA%, Game Show Network ranked against Ad-Supported Cable networks.
