Sony spins off Jeopardy! with first iteration made exclusively for YouTube

The YouTube version of Jeopardy! will debut at the end of the month

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has ordered a spin-off from Jeopardy! for YouTube, marking the first time a season of the iconic gameshow has been commissioned exclusively for the Google-owned video platform.

The YouTube series will debut on the Jeopardy! YouTube channel on Tuesday March 31, with Ken Jennings hosting and exec producing. Contestants include YouTube creators Monét X Change, Rebecca Black and Brennan Lee Mulligan.

The typical Jeopardy! format tasks contestants with guessing the correct question after being given the answer. SPT said the new spin will “blend the classic format and style of Jeopardy! with the energy of internet culture with categories spanning YouTube-inspired topics – from viral trends to the rich 20-year-plus history of the platform – along with custom video clues featuring notable YouTube talent.”

SPT said this greenlight marks the “first step” in a broader digital expansion of the franchise, with more bespoke content set to join the Jeopardy! YouTube channel.

“Jeopardy! is one of the most successful and enduring brands in television history, with decades of cultural relevance and a loyal audience,” said SPT’s president of gameshows, Suzanne Prete.

“As we bring our YouTube strategy to life, we’re incredibly excited to build on that legacy while connecting with new audiences in a way that feels fresh, interactive, and native to the platform.”

YouTube’s global head of culture and trends, Kevin Allocca, added: “Blurring the lines between a traditional broadcast format and a new era of digital consumption results in something that’s fun for both new fans and old ones. Seeing Jeopardy! intersect with YouTube creators underscores how the two can amplify each other in ways that feel surprisingly authentic and are a testament to the enduring relevance of these formats.”