Durham, NH (January 29, 2025) – New Hampshire PBS is ready for the highly anticipated premiere of its 43rd season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE with a fresh new look and the same bright students. The new season of the popular academic quiz show will kick off on Thursday, February 6th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS. Sixteen high school teams from across the state will compete for the coveted GSC championship trophy.
Hosted by current social studies teacher at Bow High School and GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE veteran Jon Cannon, the show will feature a diverse range of challenging questions covering history, literature, science, math, pop culture and more. A former GSC contestant and coach as well as a former Jeopardy! Clue Crew member, Cannon brings a passion for learning and a wealth of experience to the podium.
“We're thrilled to bring another exciting season of Granite State Challenge to our viewers," said President and CEO Peter Frid. “The studios are buzzing with hundreds of high school students preparing to put their knowledge to the test. This is what NHPBS is all about—celebrating academic excellence and encouraging students to challenge themselves intellectually.”
Along with the energy and excitement that audiences love, the show is debuting a fresh, streamlined feel. “The new GSC logo has a retro New Hampshire license plate feel and the redesigned set mirrors the kitschy look that provides a fun and dynamic backdrop to the show,” said producer Susan Adams.
Some of the video questions feature local and even national celebrities. “We had the New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan, the 2025 New Hampshire’s Kid Governor Jade Adams and Miss New Hampshire Emily Spencer to name a few,” said Adams. “We also tapped our local NHPBS hosts Willem Lange and Rebecca Rule along with television personality, game show host and the first host of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Tom Bergeron.”
The field of competitors includes some of the most accomplished academic teams in the state. Two of the teams, ConVal Regional High School and Tilton School, have a unique connection to the show's history, having competed in the very first season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE in 1984.
Several teams boast impressive track records:
• Merrimack High School: Four-time champions (2020, 2021, 2023, 2024)
• Plymouth Regional High School: Three-time champions (1996, 2013, 2019)
• Winnisquam Regional High School: Three-time champions (1988, 1993, 2004)
• Nashua South High School: Two-time champions (2016, 2017)
• Portsmouth High School: Two-time champions (1996, 2022)
With this level of competition and a long history of passionate players, the 2025 season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE promises to be a show-stopper.
How the Teams Qualified:
Thirty-two teams initially competed in a written test at Merrimack High School in November 2024. The top fourteen teams advanced, and four additional teams were randomly selected to compete in two non-televised wildcard games. In a thrilling first game, Prospect Mountain narrowly defeated Bishop Guertin High, while ConVal Regional High School emerged victorious against Nashua High North.
Catch the new season of GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE premiering on Thursday, February 6th at 8:30 p.m. on NHPBS. You can also stream it on the PBS App, the NHPBS YouTube channel, or online at nhpbs.org/gsc.
Test your knowledge with GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE online quizzes, or try your hand at daily brainteasers on the GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE Facebook page.
GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE is funded by lead sponsor Unitil with additional funding from Bangor Savings Bank, Safety Insurance, NEA New Hampshire and Aroma Joe’s.
GRANITE STATE CHALLENGE