We would not have guessed that Draw Something would be the first mobile phone app to be transformed into a TV game show, especially since it seems like people stopped playing that game about a month ago.
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that CBS acquired the rights for a Draw Something game show pilot in a partnership with Ryan Seacrest Productions, Sony Pictures Television, and Embassy Row. Seacrest’s company has been responsible for such television gems as Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Shahs of Sunset, and the upcoming Married to Jonas, featuring Kevin Jonas and his wife.
The “Draw Something” TV show will feature users playing the game with celebrities in front of a live studio audience for the chance to win money. Viewers will also be able to play at home for prizes. The “Draw Something” app is similar to Pictionary, so expect the game show to look a lot like Pictionary except with worse sketches because — if the show stays true to the app — contestants will be using their fingers to draw rather than a marker.
(MORE: Zynga Announces Acquisition of Draw Something Creator OMGPOP)
In March, mobile gaming company Zynga, makers of the runaway hit Farmville, purchased OMGPOP, the company responsible for “Draw Something,” for a reported $200 million. At the time, “Draw Something” was the top free and top paid app for both iOS and Android, beating out Zynga’s own “Words With Friends.”
However, the popularity of “Draw Something” has since plummeted. “Angry Birds Space” earned 50 million downloads in 35 days, beating out the record of 50 million downloads in 50 days set by “Draw Something.” As of today, “Draw Something” no longer appears in the top 25 paid or free iPhone apps. It ranks #25 in “top grossing” apps on the iPhone. At the beginning of May, the number of daily users was around 10 million, down from 15 million per day at the beginning of March.
But while it’s not clear why CBS would want to produce a show based on last month’s fad, what is even more baffling is that CBS apparently outbid several other networks for the “Draw Something” rights, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Maybe TV networks really are running out of ideas.
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