MasterChef Surpasses 500 Seasons Worldwide

Following the commission of MasterChef Tamil, Banijay’s MasterChef format has now exceeded 500 seasons worldwide since its reboot in 2005.

There have been 64 local adaptations to date, with more than 10,000 episodes aired around the world. There were 43 productions across 30 markets last year alone, despite filming restrictions.

The award-winning cookery show created by Franc Roddam first aired in 1990 on the BBC in the U.K. and ran for 11 years. In 2005, Roddam and Shine TV reconceived the format.

Lucas Green, global head of content operations at Banijay, said: “Reaching this milestone is a fantastic achievement for the MasterChef family. Whilst staying true to the core values of the format, each version is unique, adapting to celebrate the individual cultures and craft of their region. The amazing teams on all 500 productions have created life-changing opportunities for our contestants and delivered world-class entertainment and iconic moments for millions of viewers around the world.”

Roddam said: “I am immensely proud of MasterChef, which has entertained millions and transformed the lives of thousands. I am so grateful to all those who have contributed to its global success and helped maintain its popularity and freshness over the years.”

The versatile format continues to evolve, with iterations including MasterChef Junior, MasterChef Professionals, MasterChef All Stars, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef Senior. Its market reach is also continually expanding, with the most recent expansion including a four-version commission in India spanning Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

MasterChef productions are evolving as well, as they focus more on sustainability by donating leftover food to charity. In season 12 of MasterChef Australia, a total of 95 percent food waste was saved, as well as over 39,000 pieces of paper. The most recent version in Germany built its set entirely from recycled and/or environmentally friendly materials, saving at least 3.7 metric tons (8,157 pounds) of plastic.