CBS Orders Live Game Show ‘Candy Crush’

CBS has picked up “Candy Crush,” a new one-hour, live action game show series based on the mobile game franchise. CBS, Lionsgate Television and interactive entertainment company King will join together on the new format created and executive produced by Matt Kunitz that will be distributed domestically by CBS Television Distribution and internationally by Lionsgate.

In the game “Candy Crush Saga,” players match colorful candies in combinations of three or more to win points, defeat obstacles and progress through more than 2,000 levels. In the series, teams of two people use their wits and physical agility to compete on enormous, interactive game boards featuring next generation technology to conquer “Candy Crush” and be crowned the champions. A host will be announced at a later date.

“We are huge fans of “Candy Crush” and, like so many others, we know the ‘rush’ of advancing to the next level of the game,” said Glenn Geller, President, CBS Entertainment. “We’re excited to work with Lionsgate and King to adapt one of the world’s most popular and entertaining game franchises for television and make it available to its massive, passionate fan base who can watch and play along at home.”

“The “Candy Crush” franchise is a world-renowned property, so when the head of our interactive and games division, Peter Levin, brought this IP to Lionsgate, we instantly knew it would make an incredibly visual, physical and fun TV program,” said Kevin Beggs, Chairman, Lionsgate Television Group. “CBS is a leader in unscripted television, which makes it the ideal home for “Candy Crush,” and we’re very happy to have Matt shepherding the production as we partner with the team at King on this series with the tremendous second-screen potential.”

“Candy Crush” will be produced by Pulse Creative in association with Lionsgate Television, King Ltd. and CBS Television Studios. Matt Kunitz, Peter Levin, Russell Binder, Nicki Sheard, VP Brand at King, and Sebastian Knutsson will serve as executive producers.