Banijay Entertainment acquires global rights to US word gameshow Scrambled Up

International media giant Banijay Entertainment has secured the global format rights and finished tape rights to the United States studio-based word gameshow Scrambled Up, according to announcements made on Tuesday, 7 October 2026. The acquisition adds a fresh property to the company's catalogue just ahead of international television markets.

The daily syndicated series launched in the US, where it was picked up by stations covering a significant portion of the domestic market upon its debut. Domestic distribution and syndication have expanded notably since that initial rollout. The program secured a second-season renewal with multiple broadcast partners, most prominently CBS-owned stations. Production recently wrapped on 160 new episodes, which doubled the show's overall library to a total of 320 half-hour episodes. Beyond conventional broadcast syndication, the title established a digital footprint via a dedicated 24/7 channel on Samsung TV Plus across both the US and Canada.

Media additions

The gameplay brings together four contestants who tackle increasingly difficult word scrambles across two main rounds and a rapid-fire Speed Scramble. As tiles unscramble on the board, hosts and clues guide players toward the correct answers. According to reporting from C21media, the program is hosted by Michael Yo and features a cash prize, while press materials outline how the highest-scoring contestant advances to the Ultimate Scramble to solve three final puzzles within 60 seconds.

Scrambled Up brings together a powerhouse team of creators and producers. The format stems from Michael Eisner’s The Tornante Company, formatting banner Keller/Noll—led by industry veterans Cleve Keller and Dave Noll—alongside Crazy Legs Productions and Playing Field Entertainment. Executive producers on the project include Dave Noll, Cleve Keller, Ross Babbit, Dave Bulhack, Gary Apple, Tom Cappello, Scott Thigpen, Adam Londy, and Joe LaBracio. Playing Field Entertainment handles distribution for the title.

Keller and Noll bring extensive gameshow pedigree to the partnership. Their previous credits include the CBS hit Flip Side, the long-running GSN series America Says, and Food Network staple Chopped.

Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions at Banijay Entertainment, emphasized the enduring appeal of the genre in a statement covered by EuropaWire.

"Gameshows continue to have proven value across every platform and the US success of Scrambled Up already demonstrates it’s landing well with audiences. Cleve and Dave have a real instinct for creating formats people want to interact with, and this is no exception. It takes the familiar fun of word games and gives it a lively, funny twist, while importantly keeping it simple to follow. With all the right ingredients to travel internationally, the format complements our offering for MIPCOM perfectly."

Helen Greatorex, Head of Format Acquisitions, Banijay Entertainment, via EuropaWire

Within Banijay's catalogue, Scrambled Up joins a robust roster of international entertainment brands and third-party acquisitions. The format sits alongside globally recognized titles such as Deal or No Deal, The Money Drop, Lingo, Pointless, and Tipping Point, as well as third-party properties including the strategic format Werewolves from STUDIOCANAL and Dreamspark, Tokyo Broadcasting System's Ninja Warrior, Unfold Production's Stop the Train, and Productions J's dating reality format Temptations Under the Sun.