Locally titled Casados a primera vista, the format will premiere on Azteca Uno on September 17.
TV Azteca has commissioned the first ever Latin American version of Red Arrow Studios International’s hit dating reality show Married at First Sight.
The Mexican broadcast giant will air the 14 x 120’ series, (local title: Casados a Primera Vista) in a weekly, Sunday night free-to-air primetime slot on Azteca UNO, starting on 17 September 2023. The production company is Endemol Shine Boomdog LLC Mexico.
Spiral International secured the deal with TV Azteca, having acquired the Latin American rights to Married at First Sight from Red Arrow Studios International, the global distributor of the series.
Red Arrow Studios International is continuing to expand the global footprint of Married at First Sight. The Mexican deal marks the 32nd commission for the dating phenomenon, which is now produced locally across five continents. Other new commissions include an all-new local version of Married at First Sight in South Africa, which is set to air on Mnet’s Mzansi Magic channel.
In addition, tape sales of Married at First Sight local versions top 130 countries.
Tim Gerhartz, Managing Director at Red Arrow Studios International, said: “We are delighted that TV Azteca has commissioned the inaugural version of the format in Latin America and we are sure that local audiences in Mexico will love watching their own local version of the format.
Married at First Sight’s global footprint continues to grow and grow as the format prove itself to be more than just a TV show for broadcasters around the world – it has really cemented its position as a mega-format and a channel-defining brand.”
Zasha Robles, Managing Director at Spiral International added: “Storytelling is having a renaissance, particularly stories that shine a positive light on an institution like marriage. In Married at First Sight couples meet for the first time on their wedding day, at which point everyone in Latin America will be asking the question: ‘just how many people are ready to tie the knot without knowing each other in such a conservative culture?’ Well, more than you think…as millions of viewers in Mexico are about to find out!”
Frank Scheuermann, Senior VP and Head of Unscripted at Endemol Shine Boomdog, said: “We are incredibly excited and grateful to have the opportunity to produce this wonderful format and be the first in Latin America to take on this significant challenge and responsibility. Our goal is to spark thought-provoking discussions across diverse audiences, with love serving as the universal language that ties each episode together. This connection will resonate with countless individuals allowing them to recognize aspects of their own journeys within the stories of our featured couples. We greatly appreciate our clients and friends at TV Azteca for their support, collaboration, and trust in this fascinating journey. We are working hand in hand to create a genuine, moving, and emotion-filled program.”
Adrián Ortega, Director General of Content at TV Azteca, added: “During these 30 years at TV Azteca, we have made an effort to bring innovative proposals that touch the heart of our audience, and this great anniversary is no exception. Our goal is to entertain in a revolutionary and differentiated way, playing content with which our audience identifies and makes them feel part of our history. Undoubtedly, the tireless search for love, falling in love, relationships, and the much-desired wedding is a subject that generates great emotion. Now, working shoulder to shoulder with Endemol Shine Boomdog, we present Married at First Sight, and hope that this show reaches the heart of all Mexican homes.”
Created and produced by Snowman Productions – a Seven.One Studios company – for Denmark’s DR, Married at First Sight has become the world’s most watched relationship show and one of the most talked-about and highest-rating formats of the decade.
Married at First Sight follows singles who have failed to find love as they put their hearts in the hands of a team of experts, who select their perfect partner. The couples then meet for the first time at the altar. After the wedding and honeymoon, the married couples move in together and start their new lives. From the first kiss to the first tears, cameras document their every moment as experts analyse the relationships. Six weeks of marriage later, the couples must make a decision: stay together or file for divorce.
