Draw Something Could be Turned Into a TV Show on CBS Primetime
posted Saturday Jun 23, 2012 by Nicholas DiMeo
Zynga might be making back the $200 million spent for OMGPOP sooner than they thought. Sources report that CBS has put in a significantly higher bid than several other networks to sign a deal for a pilot episode of a primetime TV show that is based on the fad craze Draw Something.
OMGPOP, the studio behind Draw Something, saw the game skyrocket to 50 million downloads by February and in April reached an average of 14 million users playing around with the app on a daily basis. Unfortunately the usage took a severe rollercoaster drop to almost half of that by May, causing investors to worry if Zynga may have overpaid for the potential up-and-coming gaming studio.
Last month, Zynga COO John Schappert fought off the negative comments of the purchase of OMGPOP, saying that, "We think of it as a game that's an evergreen franchise. It's a game that will live on for years."
Can this deal be the saving grace? We have details after the break.
The Hollywood publication Variety has reported that inside sources are mentioning names like CBS, Sony Pictures and Ryan Seacrest Productions as those who have their hands in the mix. Neither CBS nor Ryan Seacrest Productions have commented on the matter and nobody can specifically say that they will even air the show, however it is being said that CBS will rush this show to air as soon as production is completed. Variety also depicted the show like this:
Teams of celebrities and everyday users will test their skills in front of a studio audience to earn money and big laughs. Viewers can also play along at home for a chance to win prizes and compete with the celebrities.
It is also being said that this gameshow will have some sort of technology element added into it, just to make things a little more interesting.
The Draw game involves competing players drawing a picture to convey a word for a fellow player to guess. Similar games have been adapted into TV series in the past, including syndicated fare during the 1980s and '90s like Pictionary and Win, Lose or Draw.
But Draw will have the 21st century spin of incorporating second-screen devices like phones and tablets that are increasingly common in the laps of U.S. viewers. No specifics are available on how that will be executed.
If everything falls into place, CBS should order a season and the show could air as soon as early next year. Would you watch something like this, even if it's in primetime? We want to hear your opinion in the comments section below.
