Keshet International, the global content producer and distributor, announced it is launching its co-development partnership with NTV, Russia’s leading commercial broadcaster, with a brand new primetime entertainment talent show called Drive Master.

Drive Master brings the popular world of cars and driving indoors into a shiny floor setting to find the nation’s best amateur drivers. Set inside a giant studio built around a huge parking lot, this new format is a car-based talent competition featuring driving stunts and skills that is also a performance spectacle full of action, suspense and fun for both a live studio audience and viewers at home.

Drive Master is the first format to be co-developed by Keshet International and NTV Russia as part of wider agreement that will see both media companies working together to co-develop high-profile non-scripted formats with both mainstream and international appeal.

Revital Basel, Keshet International’s MD of Networks, says, “We are really excited to be formally announcing our first partnership with a local broadcaster to co-develop ambitious new formats such as this high-octane re-invention of the traditional shiny floor talent show with NTV. Featuring contestants of all ages alongside a compelling cast of cars, Drive Master is going to be a captivating primetime entertainment series that families can sit down and enjoy together.”

Timur Weinstein, NTV’s General Producer of NTV, adds, “We are happy to be one of the first Russian television companies to launch a brand new original non-scripted project in collaboration with an international media company. Following the success of The Road to Calvary, we are happy to announce our partnership with Keshet International in non-scripted projects area. NTV has a vast experience in big-scale show production, and we’ve always put a big emphasis on our production values. The show’s challenges will take place in a pavilion and on the Russian FIA F1 top category racetrack. We believe that our new show would be a hit among worldwide audience.”

At the beginning of each Drive Master season, contestants of all ages will audition to test their abilities. Those who get the “green light” will move on to the next stage and train with the two mentors. Week on week, these professional drivers will increase the complexity and skill level of the tasks the competitors will have to master and perform in the studio.

In every episode, the audience’s breath will be taken away as contestants compete to complete different skill-based tasks in their vehicles – from tricks such as jumping or driving on two wheels, completing a challenging gymkhana course against the clock, to performing delicate or intricate tasks at high-speed. Drivers failing the challenges will be eliminated and at the end of the season, the one driver remaining will win the prize and title of Drive Master.

Currently in pre-production in Russia ahead of an autumn TX, this 10 x 120’ format will be produced locally by WeiT Media. Keshet International will be responsible for international sales of the format.