CTV has ordered MASTERCHEF CANADA, a Canadian version of the smash hit international format, it was announced today in advance of the #CTVUpfront. MASTERCHEF CANADA becomes the 42nd local production of the iconic format to launch. Ordered for a winter 2014 debut, CTV has commissioned Proper Television to produce the series in Canada, with production to begin this fall.
The new commission was brokered with CTV by Tania Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Sales for Canada at Shine International, the worldwide distributor of MASTERCHEF. Shine America’s Paul Franklin will serve as a Creative Consultant.
Fans are encouraged to visit CTV.ca/MasterChefCanada and follow @MasterChefCDA for further details.
Demonstrating Canadian viewers’ hunger for the format, MASTERCHEF CANADA follows consecutive seasons of explosive growth of CTV’s most-watched summer series, MASTERCHEF, currently airing Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CTV. Showing growth and momentum throughout the season, MASTERCHEF ended the summer as the #1 program on CTV, and the #2 program overall in Canada among all key advertiser demos.
As a result, CTV will announce later today the acquisition of JUNIOR MASTERCHEF, to premiere this fall. The culinary competition series for talented kids between the ages of 8 and 13 who love to cook will air on family-friendly Friday nights at 8 p.m. on CTV.
“As the world’s #1 culinary television format, MASTERCHEF CANADA promises to be a premiere opportunity for viewers and advertisers alike,” said Phil King, President, CTV Programming and Sports. “A coast-to-coast-to-coast celebration of this country’s love affair with food, this is an advertiser-friendly, co-viewing destination series with true mass appeal.”
“We are thrilled to bring the world’s top cooking competition series to CTV,” says Shine America President Eden Gaha. “Canada’s rich and vibrant culinary scene is the perfect locale to uncover the next ‘MasterChef.’”
Following unprecedented advertiser demand for THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, CTV will now begin working with advertisers on potential product integration, customized activations, and original branded content opportunities. MASTERCHEF CANADA is ideal for innovative brand extensions and various in-show integrations throughout its inaugural season.
“MASTERCHEF CANADA offers a unique platform for customized partnerships”, said Mary Kreuk, Vice-President, Brand Partnerships, Bell Media. “We look forward to working with sponsors to elevate their brands with this premiere format that has seen success around the world.”
Canada is a food-crazy country with some of the most culturally diverse communities in the world. Each evening, Canadians of all ages, genders, occupations, and regional lines concoct vastly different dinner menus – from Indian, Innuit, and Italian, to Chinese, Ukrainian, French-Canadian, Jamaican, and more. Now, MASTERCHEF CANADA promises to set a place at the table for competitive Canadian cooks.
“There’s more to Canada than the world’s best maple syrup and beer. We’re a nation of passionate foodies and I’m thrilled that Canadians will get to experience our diverse culinary culture through MASTERCHEF CANADA,” said Guy O’Sullivan, President of Proper Television.
MASTERCHEF CANADA provides an opportunity for Canadian amateur chefs to develop their culinary skills as they compete for the MASTERCHEF CANADA title. Following the traditional MASTERCHEF format, MASTERCHEF CANADA’s initial rounds consist of a number of hopefuls from across the country individually “auditioning” by presenting a food dish to the judges to gain one of the coveted semifinalist spots. Competitors must be true amateurs who are in it for the love of food. The semi-finalists then compete in several challenges which test their food knowledge and preparation skills. The judges whittle down the contestants through a number of individual and team-based cooking challenges and weekly elimination rounds, until a winning MASTERCHEF is crowned.
Casting for the Canadian judges and amateur chefs for #MasterChefCDA will be announced in the coming months atCTV.ca/MasterChefCanada.
MASTERCHEF is noted as one of the world’s most successful primetime entertainment formats. Now produced locally in over 40 countries, the series is watched in more than 200 territories worldwide.
