It’s official: Match Game will return for a third season on ABC with host Alec Baldwin. A few weeks ago, Match Game reopened its casting site in search for contestants to compete on the show. In the past two years the show has been on the air, Match Game averaged 5.13 million total viewers (1.06 A18-49 rating) during the first season in its Sunday night 10:00pm time slot and 3.51 million total viewers (0.85 A18-49 rating) during the second season. The ratings drop could be partly attributed to the show’s shift to airing on Wednesday nights in the first half of the season before moving back to its original Sunday time slot. Although Match Game suffered a setback between seasons, the ratings held steady enough to merit a renewal.
Alec Baldwin, who has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality-Competition Program, has also struck a two-year between his production company, El Dorado Pictures, and ABC Studios. According to Deadline, Baldwin is believed to possess one of the most lucrative game-show-hosting salaries for a Match Game host ever. Entering into his deal a host, Baldwin stated he would donate his talent fee to his wife Hilaria’s foundation. His deal included ownership in a possible syndication version of Match Game.
No word yet on when Match Game is scheduled to return.
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