Global producer, content creator and distributor Endemol Shine announced the latest deal for global cookery hit “MasterChef” in Asia, which was was agreed by Endemol Shine International’s Executive Director for Asia Rashmi Bajpai and her team. PSM in the Maldives have ordered a first series of “MasterChef" for their market, and will launch a 20 part primetime run later this year. This commission sees the Maldives become the 63rd country to produce a local version of the global culinary hit.
2019 was the most successful year to date for “MasterChef,” with 53 confirmed productions across 35 markets. The format made a comeback in India on Star and celebrated its 10th anniversary and 200th episode in the United States, as well as drawing in audiences in major markets including the UK, Brazil, Australia, Italy and Spain.
“‘MasterChef’ remains one of our smash- hit performers and the deal with PSM further proves how viewers in Asia love to see their own culture reflected in a local version. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Maldives,” said Rashmi Bajpai, Executive Director for Asia at Endemol Shine.
Meanwhile, PSM’s Managing Director, Mr. Ali Khalid, commented: “There is a tremendous array of culinary talent here in the Maldives and we are excited to see how these inspired, youthful, amateur chefs fare with the television audience. Maldives, being a popular hotel destination around the world, is proud to bring a show packed with extraordinary cookery showdowns. ‘MasterChef' is renowned for its excellent ratings and we are delighted to have this long running global hit franchise on our network”.
The “MasterChef” format launched in 1990 in the UK and aired for over a decade on the BBC. In 2005, the show was revived for the BBC and four years later Australia became the first country to adapt it outside of the UK, with “MasterChef Australia” launching in 2009 as the highest rated show in Australian history.