Created by Youngest Media alongside KI, 'The Search' was originally released in Israel on local channel Keshet 12.
Keshet International (KI) has finalised a deal to bring the physical word search puzzle game show The Search to Spain. The format has been licensed to Spain’s production company, The Mediapro Studio, which will produce the Spanish adaptation, Sopa de letras, for Aragón TV, a state-owned broadcaster under the FORTA media network.
The Search takes the globally loved word search puzzle and transforms it into a physical game show, challenging contestants’ knowledge, speed, cognitive skills and teamwork. Originally created by Youngest Media and KI for Keshet 12, the format has already seen success in Uruguay, where Canal 4 has produced 70 episodes to date.
The heart of this studio-based game show is a large, interactive LED word search grid on the studio floor, which serves as the physical playing field for contestants. Viewers at home can also follow along with the action, due to the grid’s vibrant, bird’s-eye view display.
The Spanish version, Sopa de letras, will feature four pairs of contestants, such as parent-child duos, coworkers, best friends, and siblings, competing across four rounds. The game show has been adapted to air on weekdays during early primetime on Aragón TV. Filmed in Zaragoza with a live studio audience, Sopa de letras will be hosted by Miki Nadal, known for his roles in Zapeando, Masterchef Celebrity and 90 Minuti. The show is expected to premiere later this year.
Kelly Wright, MD Distribution, KI, said: ”The Search is a lively, exciting, and visually engaging game show that elevates the word search game we all know and love into a ”shout at the TV” entertainment experience for every generation. We are so thrilled to be partnering with the team at The Mediapro Studio to bring this format to viewers in Spain for the first time on Aragón TV.”
Amparo Castellano, Global Head of Non-Fiction at The Mediapro Studio, added: “The Mediapro Studio is a company who are very committed to public television, and we are proud to find formats such as The Search, whose workings are dynamic, promote mental agility and is easily exportable. Being the first in Europe to adapt this format from Keshet, a benchmark in the gameshow genre, is another example of the work we do daily to find the formats with the most potential. In this sense, we are very happy to be able to count on Aragón TV as partners: they are an excellent travel partner, whom we have been working with for years and we always knew that this programme was a perfect fit for them in their TV programming.”
Alberto del Pozo, Director of Programmes and Content at Aragón TV, stated: “For Aragón TV, Sopa de letras is the big wager for the 24/25 season. We saw the format and fell in love with its set, its spectacularity, and its workings. Furthermore, we have total confidence in Miki Nadal as a master of ceremonies, who brings a friendly and funny tone. We believe it is the ideal content for Aragonese people to enjoy playing and learning.”
In addition to The Search, KI has recently licensed The Hit List, a family-friendly play-along, singalong format from Tuesday’s Child, to Madrid-based Topanga Crea. This adaptation, produced in collaboration with Canarian production company Doble Diez, has been well-received by Televisión Canaria’s audience, particularly among younger viewers. The Hit List Canaries has consistently ranked as one of the channel’s most-watched non-news programmes, second only to the reality show Supervivientes.
