Televisión Española (TVE) has announced its much-anticipated Christmas programming for 2024, bringing joy and entertainment to families during the holiday season. This year, the network is set to air three special shows, including familiar favorites like 'MasterChef Junior' and an all-new festive edition of 'Grand Prix.'
'MasterChef Junior' returns for its 11th season, once again inviting young culinary enthusiasts to showcase their cooking skills. The show, which has become synonymous with Christmas viewing for many Spanish families, kicks off on December 26, 2024, and promises to be packed with surprises and celebrity guest appearances. The format this year will condense the episodes, offering three shows within just four days—truly catering to the holiday spirit!
Expect excitement as the child contestants take center stage to pursue their dreams of being chefs. Notably, the show will feature 16 aspiring chefs and participants from diverse regions, including representation from Barcelona. Well-known guests such as Mario Vaquerizo and Lorena Castell are also set to make appearances, adding star power to the kitchen.
“'MasterChef Junior' will return with a abbreviated edition, matching perfectly with the holiday break for the little ones,” stated TVE, highlighting the show's commitment to family and entertainment.
Following closely is the introduction of 'Grand Prix,' which has taken the summer audiences by storm for over 30 years. This historic program finally ventures onto the winter stage for the first time, with its Christmas edition premiering on December 23, 2024, at 22:50. The show will feature Ramón García at the helm, who also serves as host alongside streamer Cristinini.
“The 'Grand Prix' debuts for the first time as a Christmas edition. The idea is to bring joy and excitement to kids during Christmas,” Ramón García commented, emphasizing the program's special theme and the family-friendly environment it promotes. The traditional summer-themed games will be transformed for winter, including the introduction of ice-skate challenges and festive decorations.
This year, the format will allow for local towns to compete, sending representatives from winner and finalist villages from past summer editions. Excitingly, instead of city mayors, local children will take on the roles of mayors, creating delightful moments during the games.
“We’ve adapted everything for winter, from changing the decorations to removing the swimming pool for our first-ever ice rink,” García continued. The atmosphere is expected to be filled with holiday cheer, as new participants join the usual crew, including elves and snowmen, adding to the festive elements. Viewers can anticipate celebrity patrons like Eva Soriano and Melody lending their enthusiasm to support competing towns.
Along with the holiday thrills, David Broncano and Laura Yustres, also known as Lalachus, will ring in the New Year with their much-anticipated participation, signifying another highlight of the season. Laura’s rise to stardom has been meteoric, and her chemistry with Broncano is expected to invigorate the holiday celebrations.
The evening will be filled with fun and possibly merriment as they join forces for the New Year's countdown, engaging viewers with their humor and charisma. “This is going to be incredible for us,” Laura expressed, hinting at their plans to bring joy and laughter as they welcome 2025 together from the iconic Puerta del Sol.
TVE is taking significant steps to engage audiences during the festive days, not only through entertaining programs but also by competing against other national networks. Historically, the programming during Christmas tends to witness varied strategy approaches, with different channels rolling out film marathons and other themed events.
For example, Cuatro often opts for the immense success of the 'Harry Potter' series, aiming to capture loyal viewers. Conversely, TVE's strategy reflects its commitment to homegrown offerings, ensuring relevant content resonates with families gathering for the holidays.
2024 has proven to be fruitful for TVE, especially with the introduction of 'La Revuelta', which has garnered positive feedback and significantly boosted viewership. The holiday season is expected to provide another opportunity to solidify this upward trend.
All eyes will be on how these holiday offerings perform, with audiences eagerly tuning in to experience the fun and togetherness they represent. The enchantment of 'MasterChef Junior' combined with the splendor of 'Grand Prix' guarantees festive viewing pleasure, promising to be memorable moments for viewers far and wide.
Indeed, as families come together to enjoy these special broadcasts, the warmth of shared laughter and competition embodies the spirit of Christmas.
