Daytime TV can be a tough gig, and ITV’s run with “Pictionary” has officially come to an end. The network has decided not to move forward with the Mel Giedroyc-hosted drawing game after it struggled to pull in big numbers in the afternoon slot. But don’t worry too much about Mel – ITV is immediately putting its faith back in her, reuniting her with longtime comedy partner Sue Perkins for a brand new, high-profile Saturday night quiz show.
So, the bottom line is: “Pictionary,” the TV version of the classic board game, is off the schedule. Airing weekdays at 2:30 PM, it just didn’t find the audience it needed. Taking its place is a new commission called “Win Win,” which will see the much-loved duo Mel and Sue back together hosting a major primetime entertainment show for ITV.
The daytime “Pictionary” aimed to capture the fast-paced fun of the original game, but sticking it in the mid-afternoon didn’t quite lead to lasting viewership. While it won’t be airing anymore, anyone curious can still catch past episodes on the ITVX streaming service.
Looking ahead, “Win Win” sounds like a much bigger production. ITV is highlighting its interactive element, suggesting viewers at home can win the same significant prizes – like holidays and cars – being given away in the studio. The game itself revolves around survey questions based on what the British public thinks. There’s even buzz about a guaranteed £1,000,000 prize for one lucky studio contestant and a chance for a viewer to get right into the final stages.
Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of Entertainment & Daytime, shared her enthusiasm for “Win Win,” calling it an “incredibly exciting format.” While the daytime experiment with “Pictionary” didn’t quite work out, it’s clear ITV is banking on the familiar magic of Mel and Sue to score a Saturday night hit. Honestly, their reunion feels like the biggest news here, perhaps more so than a daytime game show quietly bowing out.
