Overview

• ITV’s Genius Game, hosted by David Tennant, debuted on April 30, 2025, to just 1.2 million overnight viewers, well below the 9 pm slot average of 2.2 million.
• The show, based on the acclaimed South Korean series The Genius, features 11 contestants competing in complex strategy and social manipulation games for a cash prize of up to £50,000.
• Viewers and critics have widely criticized the premiere for its overly complicated rules, which left many confused and disengaged during the first episode.
• The debut episode’s main challenge, ‘Gold Heist,’ was described as convoluted and visually unengaging, with gameplay that failed to captivate the audience.
• Competing against BBC’s Race Across the World, which drew 3.1 million viewers, Genius Game faces tough competition and an uphill battle to retain its audience.