Kids’ ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Series in Development at Sony

Many of us have been watching Wheel of Fortune since we were kids, and we’ve grown up wishing we could get a crack at spinning the big wheel and buying vowels. For a new generation of young viewers, that dream might become a reality: a new report published by The Hollywood Reporter today indicates that Sony is in the process of developing a kid-friendly version of Wheel of Fortune.

While the current version of Wheel has held teen and college tournaments and special episodes featuring parents paired with their children, there has never been a dedicated version of the show featuring young contestants.

The report states that a youth-oriented version of Wheel “would likely incorporate some twists into the gameplay, including physical and comedic challenges to earn letters or buy vowels.”

Look, as someone who has watched the show for over 20 years (okay, more like 30 years … okay, 35 years, and that’s firm), I’m not sure if it needs a new formula to appeal to kids — buying vowels and avoiding the bankrupt slot seem fun enough to me — but the announcement will surely excite plenty of young viewers who play along at home every night.

“Our mission is straightforward and clear,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, the executive VP and general manager of Sony Pictures Television – Kids, per THR. “We’d like to be known as a premier content creator for kids who build new global franchises for Sony.”

No additional details were given about who would host the show or when it could be expected to launch.

Wheel of Fortune airs on weeknights at 7:30/6:30c. Find local listings on the Wheel of Fortune website.