“MasterChef Asia” is coming back. Banijay Rights has closed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery and CreAsia Studio – part of Endemol Shine India – to produce a new 10-episode series of the pan-Asian cooking competition, marking the format’s return to the region after a 10-year break.
The new run, a 10 x 60-minute series, will be shot in Macao, which holds designation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Rather than casting fresh faces, the series will bring back 10 former “MasterChef” contestants from across the continent, each competing for a second shot at the title.
The show will broadcast across TLC, Discovery and the Asian Food Network in India, Southeast Asia, Greater China and Korea, on Lala TV in Japan, and on the Fatafeat channel in the Middle East. The Macao Government Tourism Office is a production partner on the series.
The deal was brokered by Rashmi Bajpai, executive VP Asia at Banijay Rights.
“The return of ‘MasterChef Asia’ marks a significant milestone for this iconic global format and the Asian television market,” Bajpai said. “We are proud to partner with Warner Bros. Discovery to deliver an exciting new series that reflects Asia’s extraordinary culinary creativity.”
Lynn Ng, GVP and head of content for APAC Networks at Warner Bros. Discovery, said: “Asia is a melting pot of gastronomy and we’re looking forward to working with Banijay Rights and our partners to bring a new offering of this global hit format to fans across the region.”
Deepak Dhar, founder and group CEO of Banijay Asia and EndemolShine India, added: “The return of ‘MasterChef Asia’ reflects the region’s expanding creative strength and scale. Bringing the series to life in Macao, a city celebrated for its culinary heritage, marks an exciting new chapter for the brand.”
Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome ‘MasterChef Asia’ to Macao. As a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, food is at the heart of who we are, and this partnership is a delicious way to share our passion with the world.”
“MasterChef” was created by Franc Roddam and first broadcast in 1990. The format is certified by Guinness World Records as the world’s most successful cookery television franchise, with more than 700 seasons and 16,000 episodes produced across 72 markets. Banijay Rights handles global distribution for the brand.
variety.com
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