Kanal D Romania Renews Hit Game Show 'Jocul Cuvintelor,' Local Version of Turkish Format 'THINK!' Kanal D Romania has announced the recommissioning of its popular word-based game show "Jocul Cuvintelor" for a fifth and sixth season, underscoring the continued success of the local adaptation of the international format "THINK!". The original format, known regionally as "Kelime Oyunu," first premiered in Turkey in 2009, is owned by Bavaria Entertainment, and distributed internationally by Sera Film. Since its launch in Romania in 2022, "Jocul Cuvintelor," hosted by Dan Negru, has aired over 300 episodes and has become a ratings leader for Kanal D Romania, consistently securing the number one spot in its timeslot. Fatih Salış, News and Internal Productions Director at Kanal D Romania, described the show as "a real phenomenon" that has "created new consumption habits for a demanding and very diverse audience," fulfilling a desire for quizzes that combine fun with intelligence. The "THINK!" format's global appeal is evident, with commissions in five territories (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, and for Kurdish-speaking audiences) and over 3,750 episodes produced in Turkey alone. It has also recently been optioned in Spain. The format's success is attributed to its fun, fast-paced, and family-friendly structure, which has also led to a mobile game with over 100,000 downloads. Idil Belli, CEO of Sera Film, commented on the renewal, stating, "We have always believed in the potential of THINK!... We are glad that it is showing similar success and audience permanence in Romania. This performance... further proves the global appeal and adaptability of THINK in a time where the industry needs more scalable TV programmes." "Jocul Cuvintelor" challenges five contestants in each episode to guess 14 words of increasing difficulty, testing their vocabulary, speed, and strategic thinking. The renewal highlights the enduring strength of well-crafted game show formats in the international television landscape.
