If you grew up glued to Reading Rainbow or spent hours battling friends over the Trivial Pursuit board game, prepare to feel equal parts excitement and frustration. LeVar Burton, the beloved Emmy-winning host and literacy advocate, is now helming Trivial Pursuit, a fast-paced TV adaptation of the classic trivia game on The CW. But here’s the kicker: Unless you’re still hooked on cable, you might’ve missed this gem entirely—and that’s a problem.
What’s the Show About?
Premiering in October 2024, Trivial Pursuit reimagines the iconic board game with a high-energy, three-round format:
- Around the Board: Contestants answer buzzer-style questions across six categories (History, Science, Entertainment, etc.), earning wedges and points.
- Category Paths: Players strategically assign values to categories, tackling multiple-choice questions to boost their scores.
- Final Pursuit: A 60-second sprint to answer one question from each category for up to $20,000.
The set mirrors the classic board, complete with glowing wedges, and Burton’s hosting strikes a balance between warmth and urgency—though some wish he’d speed up just a tad.
Why LeVar Burton Is Perfect for This
Burton’s role feels almost poetic. After his viral Jeopardy! guest-hosting stint in 2021, fans rallied for him to take the reins of a trivia show. Now, he’s doing exactly that—with far more preparation time. His charm and advocacy for knowledge (remember Reading Rainbow’s “Butterfly in the sky…”) make him a natural fit. As he told The View, “This is the game show I was always meant to host.”
The Cord-Cutter Conundrum
Here’s the rub: The CW’s marketing has largely ignored streaming audiences. Despite airing on a network struggling to compete in the streaming era, Trivial Pursuit isn’t prominently featured on ad-supported platforms like Pluto TV or The CW’s own app. This mirrors a broader industry issue where streaming-first viewers—especially younger, tech-savvy cord-cutters—are overlooked in favor of traditional cable households.
Why It Matters:
- 52% of cord-cutters don’t mind ads but need shows marketed where they stream.
- CTV (Connected TV) advertising could target these audiences precisely, yet networks like The CW lag in adopting these strategies.
- Missed opportunities mean fans like us—trivia enthusiasts who’d binge this show—are left in the dark.
How to Watch Without Cable
Don’t let poor marketing stop you:
- The CW App: Free with ads (no subscription needed).
- Streaming Platforms: Check Pluto TV, Tubi, or Roku Channel for reruns.
- Social Media: Follow LeVar Burton (@levarburton) and The CW for updates.
Final Thoughts
LeVar Burton’s Trivial Pursuit is a love letter to trivia nerds, blending nostalgia with brisk gameplay. But its quiet rollout highlights a frustrating reality: As streaming dominates, networks must rethink how they promote shows to audiences who’ve long abandoned cable. For now, spread the word—this show deserves its moment in the spotlight.
Trivial Pursuit airs Mondays on The CW. Miss an episode? Hunt it down on-demand… and maybe send The CW a strongly worded note on Blue Sky about their marketing budget.
