ITV is to pilot a daytime entertainment show inspired by the iconic board game Scrabble.
Broadcast understands that the programme has been working titled Scrabble and will be made by NBC Universal International Studios producer Chocolate Media, in partnership with toymaker Mattel.
Chocolate will record two, 60-minute episodes of the format at London Studios on 9 February and they will be delivered to ITV director of daytime Helen Warner, who will make a decision over whether to progress to a full series. The pilots will not be transmitted.
Scrabble was developed by Tellycopter, NBC’s unscripted development arm, and will feature two teams - comprising a celebrity and a member of the public - picking their way through a series of rounds inspired by the board game.
Scrabble will be executive produced by Chocolate Media creative director Alan Brown, David Mortimer and Peacock Production’s managing director Steve Anderson.
It is not the first time that Scrabble has been adapted for UK television. Talent TV produced three series of TV Scrabble for Challenge between 2001 and 2003 - the third of which was presented by Eamonn Holmes.
Rights to the board game have attracted interest since, with ITV Studios picking up the rights from Mattel in 2009.
But it is NBC that has ultimately been successful in making progress with the show under the watch of Mortimer, senior vice-president, factual and entertainment.
It is the second major format NBC is piloting for ITV. The US company is also adapting a playalong gameshow for the channel, based on popular app QuizUp.
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