- Sizzling cook-off competition series ordered for winter 2014 debut on CTV -
- Internationally acclaimed series delivers unique and tailored opportunities for Canadian partners and sponsors -
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TORONTO, June 6, 2013 /CNW/ - 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 at CTV.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.
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About Bell Media Independent Production
Bell Media has commissioned and co-produced some of Canada's most-watched and most-acclaimed original programming, while working with the best Canadian independent producers in the country. Hit CTV series include ratings success stories SAVING HOPE, THE LISTENER, and MOTIVE, the #1 new Canadian series of the 2012/13 season. Premiering this summer are relationship comedy SATISFACTION and THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, a Canadian-produced, complementary version of the hit international series. To premiere later in the 2013/14 season are the drama series PLAYED and multi-cam office comedy SPUN OUT. Among the scripted series on Bell Media specialty channels are the two-time Emmy®-nominated hit DEGRASSI, the recently renewed ORPHAN BLACK, and upcoming drama BITTEN. Bell Media specialty channels are also home to reality series PANIC BUTTON and BRAVE NEW GIRL, game shows MATCH GAME and POP QUIZ, and factual series HIGHWAY THRU HELL, and LAST CAR STANDING. In total, Bell Media ordered 27 new original Canadian series in 2012, and put 35 scripted projects into development.
About Shine International:
Shine International is the sales and distribution arm of Shine Group and focuses on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights through scripted and non-scripted formats and tape. The company distributes programming from Shine Group's growing library of programming along with an array of programming acquired from independent producers and major primetime broadcasters, to more than 150 countries worldwide. Shine International is a leader in handling global rights to unscripted formats including The Biggest Loser (airing in 30 countries), One Born Every Minute, Minute To Win It, Clash of the Choirs and MasterChef, which is now licensed in over 40 countries and airs in 200 territories; and a scripted catalogue that boasts the critically-acclaimed Broadchurch, Utopia and In the Flesh, new sit-com Vicious and the forthcoming Shine America and FX co-production of The Bridge.
www.shineinternational.com
About Proper Television
Proper Television is a leading provider of factual entertainment, reality, documentary and docu-dramas for Canadian, American, and International markets. Headed by former BBC director Guy O'Sullivan, Proper Television has earned a distinguished reputation for creating original series and hit versions of international formats including CANADA'S WORST DRIVER, COME DINE WITH ME CANADA, and FOUR WEDDINGS CANADA. Proper Television's shows and formats are sold internationally by newly formed Proper Distribution.
About CTV
CTV is Canada's #1 private broadcaster. Featuring a wide range of quality news, sports, information, and entertainment programming, CTV has been Canada's most-watched television network for the past 12 years in a row. CTV is a division of Bell Media, Canada's premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio and digital. Bell Media is owned by BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada's largest communications company. More information about CTV can be found on the network's website at ctv.ca.
SOURCE: CTV
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Emily Alonzo, CTV, 416.384.2664 or [email protected]
Carolyn Fell, CTV, 416.384.2817 or [email protected]
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