The CW Renews 'Scrabble,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' and 'Police 24/7' for New Seasons and Syndication
The CW network has confirmed the continuation of three prominent programs, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to a diverse entertainment lineup. Both the word-based challenge 'Scrabble' and the knowledge-testing 'Trivial Pursuit' will return for their third installments, while the law enforcement docuseries 'Police 24/7' is set for a fourth season. This announcement signifies a strategic expansion for these shows, as they are also slated for broadcast syndication, considerably broadening their audience footprint across the nation.
The decision to renew these series underscores their successful performance within the network's entertainment programming. While specific viewership numbers for individual shows often fluctuate, 'Scrabble,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' and 'Police 24/7' consistently ranked among the top five non-sports programs on The CW during the previous season. This consistent performance, coupled with the upcoming syndication, highlights the network's confidence in their appeal and longevity.
A significant aspect of this renewal is the move into broadcast syndication, scheduled for this fall. This strategic shift will make the programs accessible to a much larger audience, as clearances have already secured distribution in roughly 85 percent of the United States. Notably, Nexstar, which holds ownership of The CW, is playing a key role in this expansion, with its owned stations being among those that will carry the syndicated runs. This integrated approach ensures a wider reach and increased exposure for these popular shows.
For primetime broadcasts, all three series are presented as hour-long episodes. However, to facilitate their entry into syndication, where half-hour programming slots are more common, adjustments will be made. 'Scrabble' and 'Trivial Pursuit' already feature two distinct half-hour game segments within each episode, making their adaptation for syndication straightforward. Similarly, 'Police 24/7' will be reformatted into 30-minute segments, allowing it to seamlessly fit into various broadcast schedules. The second seasons of 'Scrabble,' hosted by Craig Ferguson, and 'Trivial Pursuit,' featuring LeVar Burton, are slated to resume on October 1st, with details regarding the premiere dates for their third seasons and the third and fourth seasons of 'Police 24/7' to be unveiled at a later time.
The production of these programs involves a collaboration of several notable entities within the entertainment industry. 'Scrabble' is a joint effort by Hasbro Entertainment, The CW, Mattel Television Studios, and Lionsgate Alternative Television. 'Trivial Pursuit' also sees contributions from Hasbro Entertainment, The CW, and Lionsgate Alternative, with the additional involvement of Talpa Studios. The docuseries 'Police 24/7' is brought to screens by executive producers SallyAnn Salsano, Stijn Bakkers, Don Sikorski, Russell Muth, Frank Miccolis, Dave Hamilton, and Josh Lansky, highlighting the diverse creative teams behind these successful renewals.
The renewal of 'Scrabble,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' and 'Police 24/7' for new seasons and their upcoming syndication marks a significant development for The CW. This move is poised to enhance the accessibility of these popular shows to a broader viewership, leveraging strategic partnerships and adaptable programming formats to maximize their reach and impact across both primetime and syndicated television markets.
