Int’l b’casters line up local versions of MasterChef

A raft of international broadcasters are set to launch local versions of cooking format MasterChef after striking deals with distributor Shine International.

This comes after the show debuted to strong ratings in the US, where it recorded 5.7 million viewers on Fox, and its huge success in Australia earlier this summer.

India’s Star is the latest international network to produce a local version, which will be hosted by Bollywood star Akshay Kumar, of the show that sees amateur chefs compete to make the best meal.

The Netherlands’ SBS, Israel’s Keshet and Ukraine’s STB will also launch local versions, while Belgium’s VTM will launch a local version of Celebrity MasterChef and Iceland’s Sagafilms has optioned the format.

“The outstanding showing of MasterChef in the US and Australia, and new sales off the format in one of the most populous countries in the world [India], demonstrates that there is no bigger food show on the planet,” says Shine International president Chris Grant.