Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso charmed us all, and now dating app Bumble is bringing one element of the show to life: Bantr, the fictional dating app that brought together characters Rebecca Welton and Sam Obisanya.
In the show, Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) is Sam’s (Toheeb Jimoh) boss — but they didn’t figure out they were talking to each other due to how Bantr functions. The app doesn’t show users each other’s photos and instead lets them connect through a text-only conversation. Beginning this Thursday, Bumble users will be able to experience Bantr for themselves.
Bantr Live, a weekly event available to Bumble users for free, launches on Oct. 13 at 7:00 p.m. local time. It’ll be, of course, Ted Lasso branded in the app. Users can RSVP to the event starting today.
Here’s how it’ll work: Once you RSVP, you’ll be automatically connected with someone based on your search preferences once the experience starts. Like on Bantr, Bumble users will connect with personality first, without any photos shared. They’ll chat for three minutes and then will be asked if they want to continue the conversation. If both daters match, the chat will live on the usual queue and they’ll be able to see photos.
“The premise of Bantr is a dating experience many of our members have expressed interest in over the years,” said Bumble global VP of partnerships Olivia Yu in a press release. “Bantr Live enables our community to connect with someone unexpected and learn more about a person before seeing them. We look forward to people on Bumble having fun with Bantr Live and connecting and dating in a new and exciting way.”
Bantr Live will be available to Bumble users in the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia. The experience will be weekly until the end of the year, and users can RSVP to each one and receive a reminder. Bumble users will also be able to redeem a two-month subscription of Apple TV+ so they can watch Ted Lasso themselves.
