The success of the Bible-based streaming series The Chosen in countries such as the United States and Brazil is well-known but lesser known is its success in smaller locations such as Madagascar, where it has become a television hit, says an executive with the series.
Kyle Young, vice president of global distribution, noted that The Chosen has been broadcast in major international markets such as Spain, France, and Poland, but this summer, it also was broadcast on TV in the island nation of Madagascar -- in the native language of Madagascar.
“We're just seeing that this story resonates with people all over the world in so many different amazing ways,” Young told Christian Headlines and other media members during a virtual news conference. “And that's leading to a lot more opportunities for us globally.”
Chris Juen, a producer of the series, told Christian Headlines that the president of Madagascar “reached out” to the team behind The Chosen, asking if it could be broadcast on television there.
“It's the first project to ever be dubbed in their native language,” June said. “Everything has been done in French to date. … I think people [around the world] not only need to hear the story, but they need to hear it in their native tongue.”
Madagascar is one of 12 new locations where The Chosen has launched in recent months, Young said. An estimated 10 million people in Madagascar watched the series this summer, he added.
The official Instagram channel of The Chosen posted a video of some 3,000 orphans in Madagascar watching a scene of Jesus meeting two children. One of the goals, Young said, is for The Chosen to “be one of the most watched TV shows ever.”
“It’s really great to see how we're expanding around the world,” he said.
Photo Courtesy: ©The Chosen, used with permission.
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.