Popularity from the Game Show Network’s “The American Bible Challenge”, has prompted GSN to create a dating show with a religious component, according to the New York Times.
GSN mapped out plans for 2013-2014 at a Manhattan breakfast Tuesday morning, with “The American Bible Challenge” playing a major role. The show will undoubtedly be renewed for a second season.
As if to quiet any viewers who may be getting a little concerned about all the faith-based shows, network executives told reporters the channel would not be overrun by religious programming.
The network assured viewers that it will continue to offer shows such as “Family Feud”, “Baggage”, “Minute to Win It”, and “The Newlywed Game”.
“We still need to be a broad-based channel,” said Executive Vice President for Programming and Development Amy Introcaso-Davis.
However Introcaso-Davis did admit that “The American Bible Challenge” has brought immense success to the network.
“Literally, it put us ahead of the game in the year’s most talked-about programming trend,” she said.
Introcaso-Davis was referring to the hit miniseries “The Bible” which airs on the History Channel.
Instrocaso-Davis said “The American Bible Challenge” is GSN’s most-watched show. It has also done twice as well in ratings as “anything we’ve ever done.”
The new show will be called “It Takes a Church.” The show will require pastors, church members, friends and family, to pick out a suitable mate for single parishioner. If the show goes to air, the current plan is for it to be an hour long.
GSN is seeing new success on many fronts. According to Executive Vice President for Advertising John Zaccario, the network has “signed over 100 new advertisers.”
In addition to “The American Bible Challenge” the network will also have two new games shows. It will have a new version of “Minute to Win it” hosted by Olympian Apolo Ohno.
It will also have a new show called “The Chase.” The show will be similar to a British show where contestants try to answer questions faster than a person known as the “Beast”.
The “Chase” will air later this year.
