Originally created by KI and Youngest Media for Keshet 12, The Search is a brilliantly simple and thrillingly addictive game show that transforms the universally familiar word search puzzle into a full-scale, high-energy television event. This studio-based competition challenges pairs of contestants to combine trivia knowledge, lightning-fast thinking, and physical teamwork as they navigate a stunning, life-sized LED letter grid. Big-screen visuals capture every moment, making The Search as engaging for audiences at home as it is for those in the studio.

Geert Willems and Muriel Maebe, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Free Kings, comment: “When Keshet International introduced us to The Search, we instantly recognized its potential—not just as a high-energy entertainment format, but as a clever way to engage young viewers with language and learning. Visually dynamic, fast-paced, and inherently playful, the format offered us the perfect foundation to create something both fun and enriching. We were excited to adapt it for Ketnet, and the broadcaster immediately saw the value in a show that supports vocabulary, spelling, and critical thinking through game play. We’re extremely proud of the result, and believe Lettersoep has a bright future ahead—not only as a format that entertains, but one that educates and inspires.”

Annemie Gulickx, Channel Manager for Ketnet, says, “When Free Kings presented the format for Lettersoep, we immediately saw the potential. Language is an important theme for Ketnet as part of the public broadcaster, and Lettersoep fills a gap by combining entertainment with language learning. It also marks the return of a studio quiz to Ketnet after many years. We’re very excited about the show and hope that children and their parents will enjoy playing along later this year.”

Kelly Wright, KI’s MD of Distribution, says, “What makes The Search so compelling as a format is its adaptability. At its heart is a brilliantly simple concept—finding answers hidden in a giant LED word grid—but every version can be uniquely tailored to reflect local tastes, audiences, and broadcasters’ needs. Its proven success on Aragón TV, where Sopa de Letras has stripped daily across three seasons and increased the channel’s share by 39%, demonstrates its broad appeal and scalability. We’re especially excited to see the format evolve further with its first kids’ adaptation on VRT’s Ketnet, opening the door to new audiences and new opportunities elsewhere.”

Produced by Free Kings, the Belgian adaptation of The Search is known locally as Lettersoep (Alphabet Soup). Commissioned by VRT for its dedicated children’s and youth brand Ketnet, which operates primarily as a digital platform on VRT MAX but also has a presence on VRT’s main broadcast channels and YouTube, the initial order of 30×15’ episodes will be hosted by the channel’s Emma Vanthielen. Featuring three rounds and two teams competing head-to-head, each 15-minute episode will have an educational flavor, with themes that complement the educational values of the channel. In this third local adaptation of KI’s format, the studio set goes super colorful, with a multi-hued 64-square interactive LED grid. Episodes will air on Ketnet in two batches, the first batch premiering later this year, and the second early in 2026.

Lettersoep (Alphabet Soup) is the third international adaptation of this studio-based format. KI first licensed The Search in Uruguay to Canal 4 who adapted the format as Sopa de Letras (Alphabet Soup). Strong ratings prompted additional episodes to be ordered, with 70 episodes commissioned to date.

Last year, KI licensed the format in Spain to The MediaPro Studio to produce a daily strip for Aragón TV. Since its launch in October 2024, Sopa de Letras (Alphabet Soup) has delivered three seasons and over 150 episodes, consistently improving its performance with each new season. The show has averaged an impressive 8.6% SHR—a 39% increase over the slot’s previous programming—and reached record highs of 16.4% SHR, revitalizing a timeslot through its recurring contestant mechanic—the winning pair returns episode after episode until they are defeated.