London – Peru is the latest country to host Banijay International’s Mentor as America TV signs the entertainment format for primetime.
Commercial channel America TV, the highest rating broadcaster in Peru, has commissioned a 13 x 60’ Peruvian version of Mentor which will be broadcast in a primetime weekend slot later this year. The deal was concluded by Sony Pictures Television, which represents the Banijay International format in the region.
Sebastian Burkhardt, Head of Sales at Banijay International, said, “Mentor is one of that rare breed of talent show that stands out in any broadcaster’s schedule and consistently draws an impressive audience, week in, week out. We are delighted that this innovative format is now forging a path into Latin America, a region that is showing a great appetite for the big entertainment formats in our catalogue.”
The sale into Peru follows the recent pick up by America TV of Banijay International’s hit format Stars in Danger in a deal also brokered by Sony Pictures Television.
In Mentor, for the first time ever talent show coaches must put their reputations on the line and take responsibility for the vital role they play in nurturing new talent. In this unique entertainment format it’s the professionals – not the amateurs – who risk being voted off by the viewers. The first live episode introduces six amateurs who perform un-styled and un-coached before six top industry personalities. The viewers’ first task is to place each amateur with one professional Mentor to create pairs. The audience remains in control as week by week viewers decide via live voting which Mentor has not realised their protégé’s potential and deserves to be sent home, leaving their protégé to work with one of the remaining Mentors.
The tension builds to the suspense-filled finale. Now the last two Mentors must choose one amateur each to coach through to the final performances. The Mentors’ reputation is at stake as just one will be crowned Mentor of the Year while their protégé will win a mentorship at a major recording label.
