David Tennant, 54, dealt savage blow as ITV take action over new show amid poor ratings and fan backlash
ITV has pulled David Tennant’s new game show Genius Game from its Thursday night slots following a disappointing ratings performance.
The programme, which debuted to much fanfare, will now air only on Wednesdays at 9pm rather than twice weekly as originally planned.
The schedule shake-up comes after the show has become one of ITV’s lowest-performing programmes in recent years.
The series will now extend from its planned four-week run to seven weeks, with episodes continuing to be available on ITVX.
The show initially launched with 1.2 million viewers for its first episode on Wednesday, April 30, but viewership has since plummeted to just 800,000.
This represents one of ITV’s lowest 9pm figures, particularly when compared to other recent commissions. The Fortune Hotel, another ITV programme, managed nearly 2.5 million viewers for one episode last year.
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Meanwhile, BBC’s Race Across the World, which airs in the same timeslot, has thrashed Genius Game in the ratings battle, achieving a new series peak of 5.9 million viewers.
ITV has confirmed the schedule change, with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? celebrity specials taking Genius Game’s Thursday slot for at least the next two weeks.
When approached for comment by RadioTimes.com, a spokesperson for ITV said: “Genius Game remains in the peak schedule on ITV1 at 9pm on Wednesdays and is available to view on ITVX.”
Genius Game, adapted from a South Korean format, sees Tennant take on the role of “The Creator” as he guides contestants through uniquely crafted challenges.
Contestants must use strategy, manipulation and deception to outfox opponents and win a cash prize. The eight-part series features 11 players competing across 12 rounds, each consisting of a main match and a death match.
Viewer complaints about the show’s format have been widespread since its launch, with many finding it overly complicated and others calling it a “cheap” impersonation of the BBC’s The Traitors.
On X, viewers were quick to vent their disdain for the news show within minutes of its premiere, with one typing: “David Tennant doesn’t even show up and speak face to face with the contestants. Never seen such a pile of rubbish. #GeniusGame.”
A second echoed: “I thought that was a load of c**p. They said it would be the next traitors, well don’t panic Claudia your job is safe #GeniusGame.”
“What a load of c**p, wont be watching again #GeniusGame,” a third vowed before a fourth echoed: “I think if we’re all honest, this is rubbish. #GeniusGame.”
Elsewhere, another questioned: “How can anybody enjoy this programme if nobody understands how it works? The instructions are completely confusing with no recap whatsoever! It’s like a cheap knock off of The Traitors! Another poor programme from ITV! #GeniusGame.”
However, there was some support for the series, with one fan hitting back: “I loved #GeniusGame on ITV, though I understand why many others haven’t, a lot of the show required a lot of explaining and a lot of thought.
“Definitely not one to just have on in the background. Tennent was a great host, but I wonder why they kept him in his broom cupboard?”
And a second defended the show: “Just caught up on last nights #GeniusGame. LOVE LOVE LOVE! haven’t been so hooked on a reality tv competition elimination in a long time.” (sic)
Despite these challenges, executive producer Anna Kidd had previously told Radio Times that Tennant was “the perfect person for this show.”