Product placement soars to new heights as Hasbro's Hub network introduces a slew of shows based on...wait for it, Hasbro merchandise. Clue, Game of Life, and Scrabble will all get the Hub treatment. GSN tried and tried with Scrabble a few years ago but never brought a show to air. Justin Willman will host the Hub kiddie version.Frank Nicotero, of fondly remembered Street Smarts fame, will direct the Game of Life voyagers. No word yet on the host for the Cluesters. Will somebody play Mr. Boddy?
Another noteworthy item: Hub will pick up Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? The story indicates they're getting the Fox network version instead of the soon-to-expire syndie. I always thought GSN would swoop in on this one. But the Supposedly Game Show Network may be more interested in standup comedy nowadays. (Correction: the Hub press release says they're picking up the syndie.)
One more nugget from the story is Hub's rather anemic 107K viewer average in prime time. Hasbro probably figures the product placement bonanza is worth the investment, even if Hub's ratings are underwhelming. Along with the game shows Hub is rolling out a bunch of other originals.
No comments:
Post a Comment