Game shows aren't dead—they're just going global. According to Deadline, Italian broadcaster Mediaset has ordered a new local version of The Wall, the high-stakes quiz format that LeBron James, Maverick Carter, and Andrew Glassman created. Max Giusti will host on Canale 5.
This isn't the first time Italy has tested The Wall. The format has already proven itself across multiple territories. The original U.S. version, which aired on NBC, wrapped its sixth season, but the intellectual property remains active.
Game shows built on simple, visual mechanics travel better than scripted drama. Contestants stand in front of a massive LED wall, dropping balls, prize money cascading—the format translates instantly across languages and cultures. There's no nuance lost in translation, no cultural references that misfire. It's spectacle and tension.
Max Giusti is a logical choice. The Italian entertainer has the comedic ability to maintain energy between rounds and the presenter's skill to make high-stakes moments feel genuine rather than artificial. When you're adapting a format audiences may have encountered elsewhere, the host matters.
The Wall's continued global expansion shows that LeBron James' production company, SpringHill (co-founded with Maverick Carter), has found a working model. Game shows are experiencing a quiet resurgence. People still watch ordinary contestants win real money in real time, especially when the game looks spectacular. Streaming platforms have actually boosted interest in traditional game show formats because they feel live compared to algorithmic feeds.
More international orders should follow. If Mediaset is greenlighting this for Canale 5, that signals to broadcasters across Europe and beyond that The Wall has commercial traction. Italian audiences have shown they tune in for the right host on the right network. Max Giusti is that bet.
