Televisión Nacional de Chile (TVN) has announced the return of the cooking competition "MasterChef Chile" with a scheduled broadcast in 2026 [1].
The return of the franchise represents a strategic move by the public broadcaster to strengthen its family-oriented programming and increase mass appeal during prime-time hours [2, 3].
TVN said the revival was announced May 15, 2026 [4]. The network has already opened the first casting call, inviting participants to apply through its official website to compete in the upcoming season [5].
This move marks a shift in the show's distribution within the country. The series previously aired for four seasons on Canal 13 [6]. By bringing the format to the national public network, TVN aims to boost its entertainment lineup after a period of hiatus [2].
While the show is now set for 2026 [1], the production timeline faced previous adjustments. Some reports indicate the program was originally slated to premiere in 2025 before it was suspended [7].
The new iteration of the show will focus on non-celebrity contestants, confirming that the competition will return without the "famous" format [8]. The network said the show will occupy a prime-time slot to maximize viewership across the national broadcast network [2, 8].
“TVN announced the return of the cooking competition "MasterChef Chile" with a scheduled broadcast in 2026.”
The transition of MasterChef Chile from a private network like Canal 13 to the public broadcaster TVN suggests a broader strategy to capture a wider demographic of viewers. By opting for a non-celebrity cast and a prime-time slot, TVN is prioritizing accessibility and mass-market appeal to stabilize its evening ratings and reclaim a competitive edge in the national entertainment landscape.
