CBS Media Ventures‘ new syndicated trivia game show “The Perfect Line,” which had previously been in development, is now moving forward with a pickup by the CBS station group. Deborah Norville hosts the strip, which will launch in fall 2025 on CBS-owned stations — which includes the major New York, Los Angeles and Chicago markets.
“The Perfect Line” was developed with the pitch that stations could potentially pair it with CBS Media Ventures’ recent new game show “The Flip Side,” hosted by Jaleel White. Following that show’s launch this year, Wendy McMahon, president and CEO of CBS News and Stations, as well as CBS Media Ventures, said the distributor “found the daytime audience continues to have a huge appetite for and engagement with game shows.
“We’re building on that success by bringing ‘The Perfect Line’ to the marketplace, with a host everyone already knows and admires,” McMahon added. “Deborah is a natural hosting this show – her wit and charm resonate with audiences. We are confident ‘The Perfect Line’ will be the perfect fit for stations’ lineups.”
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A pilot to “The Perfect Line” was shot in August. The trivia game includes questions about from world events, pop culture, sports, science and other topics. Contestants are given a category and then arrange events, items or people order — such as arranging six actors in the order of their worldwide box office gross. Winners are able to create “the perfect line” via that correct order, and try not to be eliminated after every round. The last person standing plays a final round for a chance at $10,000.
“I grew up watching way too many game shows and have always wanted to do one,” Norville said. “With ‘The Perfect Line,’ I’ve found the right format. The show is a fast, fun, smart take on trivia and pop culture with tidbits of stuff you didn’t know – and it’s played in a way that you’ve got a chance to win even if you’re just guessing. Plus, as a journalist, I love that I get to share fun facts you’ll want to pass along to your friends.”
Norville has been anchor of daily newsmag “Inside Edition” for CBS Media Ventures (and its predecessors) since 1995. He has also as an anchor and correspondent for CBS News; she also served as a co-host of NBC’s “Today” and anchor of NBC “News at Sunrise” and has hosted “Deborah Norville Tonight” on MSNBC.