(Photo: FOX)
Fire up the MasterChef kitchen. FOX has renewed the series for two more years — seasons 16 and 17. The show’s 15th season of 18 episodes finished airing in September.
A cooking competition series, the MasterChef TV show features returning judges award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay and renowned restaurateur Joe Bastianich. James Beard Award-nominee Tiffany Derry joins them. In the 15th season, pairs of home cooks participate together, in hopes of becoming America’s next MasterChefs. From married and dating couples, to mothers and daughters, siblings, best friends, and even divorcees — relationships are tested in some of the toughest challenges to date. Plus, to make things even more difficult, the dreaded Pressure Test makes an intimidating return. In the end, only one Dynamic Duo will be awarded the grand prize of $250,000, the MasterChef trophy and the title of MasterChefs.
Airing on Wednesday nights, the 15th season of MasterChef averaged a 0.22 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 1.62 million viewers (includes DVR playback through 3:00 AM). Compared to season 14, that’s down by 20% in the demo and down by 3% in viewership. It was FOX’s highest-rated series of the summer.
MasterChef will welcome a fresh batch of home cooks to vie for the chance to win $250,000, the MasterChef trophy and the title of America’s next MasterChef.
“MasterChef remains a standout series for FOX, drawing its dedicated fanbase back season after season to witness amateur cooks transform into culinary masters,” said Yasmin Rawji, Executive Vice President Unscripted, Fox Entertainment. “Gordon Ramsay, Joe Bastianich and Tiffany Derry provide culinary expertise, mentorship and heart and we can’t wait to see what they, as well as our partners at Endemol Shine North America, have in store for Seasons 16 and 17 of MasterChef.”
“Securing a two-season pickup for seasons 16 and 17 is huge news and a testament to the unstoppable momentum of MasterChef. A massive thank you to FOX for always opening doors and inspiring new creative ideas to keep the series fun and fresh,” said Michael Heyerman, SVP Unscripted Original Series, Endemol Shine North America & Executive Producer. “We have cooked up two absolutely great themes for the new season that fans are going to love. We’re thrilled to be back in the kitchen with Gordon, Joe, and Tiffany, building on the incredible chemistry and high standards they set last season!”
What do you think? Did you enjoy the “Dynamic Duos” 15th season of this FOX series? Are you glad to hear MasterChef’s been renewed for two more seasons?