A Second Chance for These Shows: How Ukrainian Talent Projects Are Returning to Screens

Why formats that vanished from television are drawing Ukrainian broadcasters' attention once again.

In the late 2000s, Ukrainian television was filled with talent shows. Viewers followed the competitions, got to know new performers, and picked winners, but many projects eventually stopped airing.

After years on hiatus, some of these formats have returned. Some stayed on television, while others moved to streaming platforms.

Read about how the story of these Ukrainian projects began, who put together the first teams, and what's changed since their return, in this DeTalks article.

'Ukraine's Got Talent' — a Show Continuing Its Story on STB

'Ukraine's Got Talent' is a Ukrainian adaptation of the international 'Got Talent' format. The first season was filmed in 2009 in several cities across the country, with the premiere airing on STB on April 3, and the first casting round was held in Odesa.

The judging panel back then was formed by choreographer Vlad Yama, producer Slava Frolova, and TV host Ihor Kondratiuk. Oksana Marchenko hosted the season.

The first winner was Kseniia Symonova of Yevpatoriia. The artist worked in the medium of sand animation. The win was decided by audience SMS voting.

Over the years, the project changed the format of individual seasons. The eighth and ninth, for instance, were given the title 'Ukraine's Got Talent. Kids,' dedicated to young participants, and in 2021, STB aired the tenth and final season before the full-scale invasion.

In 2026, the project returned with its 11th season. The premiere took place on August 23 on STB. The new judging panel included singer Artem Pyvovarov, along with actors Olena Kravets and Stas Boklan. Hryhorii Reshetnik became the host.

The new season is dedicated to the 35th anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Contestants represent various disciplines, including vocals, dance, circus arts, and other forms of creative expression.

'Dancing With Everyone' — From the First Season to the New Reboot

'Dancing With Everyone' is the Ukrainian adaptation of the international format 'So You Think You Can Dance.' The first season began on September 12, 2008, on the STB channel. Representatives of various dance styles were invited to take part.

The first season wrapped up with a final in December 2008. The winner was Odesa native Oleksandr Ostanin, and the final also featured Oleksandr Leshchenko, Mariam Turkmenbaieva, and Nataliia Krotova. Ostanin received the title of Ukraine's best dancer, a gold cup, and 250,000 hryvnias.

The first judging panel included Vlad Yama, Alla Rubina, Oleksandr Bobyk, and Oleksii Lytvynov. In later seasons, the judges changed, with Tetiana Denysova, Radu Poklitaru, and Kostiantyn Tomilchenko joining the project at various points.

By 2016, STB had aired nine seasons of the show. The final of the ninth season aired December 30, 2016, after which production of the project was halted.

In 2026, 'Dancing With Everyone' will return after more than ten years off the air. The new season is being created by SWEET.TV — the platform announced the start of filming in Kyiv.

The new judging panel differs significantly from the first as well. It includes Nadia Dorofieieva, Maksym Orobets, Maryna Kushchova, and Ruslan Makhov. Dasha Kvitkova and Roman Mishcheriakov became the hosts.

'Star Factory' — the Show That Created Stars

The Ukrainian 'Star Factory' first aired on 'Novyi Kanal' in 2007. The first episode came out October 7, and the project itself was an adaptation of the international format 'Star Academy.' Filming took place in Kyiv.

The first season was produced by Anna Lipovetska. The participants were 16 young performers — eight boys and eight girls. The contestants lived in a special 'star house,' worked with coaches, and prepared for weekly gala concerts.

Unlike 'Ukraine's Got Talent' or 'Dancing With Everyone,' the producer and team of coaches played a key role in the first season of 'Star Factory.' Among the specialists who worked with the contestants were vocalist Olena Grebeniuk, choreographer Olena Koliadenko, stylist Anzhela Lysytsia, director Roman Viktiuk, gymnast Liliia Podkopaieva, and producer Yurii Nikitin.

On December 30, 2007, the winners of the first season were announced. Olha Tsybulska and Oleksandr Bodianskyi shared the win, Khrystyna Kim took second place, and Vitalii Bondarenko, third.

After the first season, the project got three more. The second, in particular, was produced by Nataliia Mohylevska, the third by Kostiantyn Meladze, and the fourth by Serhii Kuzin. Participants across the various seasons included Volodymyr Dantes, Vadym Oliinyk, Max Barskih, Dasha Astafieva, Dmytro Kadnai, Kolia Serha, and others.

In 2026, 'Star Factory' returned on the streaming platform SWEET.TV. The first casting episode aired on September 4, and the new format changed the project's production system and team.

The permanent judging panel includes Iryna Horova, Ivan Klymenko, and Alan Badoev. Badoev also became the project's mentor, with Volodymyr Dantes and Dasha Kubik hosting.

The new season's first prime show aired September 18. DOROFEEVA joined the permanent trio of judges as a guest.

'Karaoke on Maidan' — From Street Show to New TV Project

'Karaoke on Maidan' is a Ukrainian musical game show created by Ihor Kondratiuk and Andrii Kozlov. In Ukraine, the program first aired on January 17, 1999, on the 'Inter' channel. The show later moved to '1+1,' and from late 2009, was broadcast by STB.

The program's main distinguishing feature was its location — outdoors, among crowds of people. The main filming took place in Kyiv, on Khreshchatyk near Independence Square. Ordinary passersby could become participants, joining in singing songs together. The host would then choose who continued competing for the win.

In the final, the winner was determined through a kind of crowd voting — participants collected money from the audience, and whoever raised the larger sum won the program.

The final episode of the classic version of the program aired on January 20, 2019, on STB.

This year, 'Karaoke on Maidan' returned to Ukrainian television once again. The updated version was aired by the channel 'TET,' with the premiere airing May 10. Ukrainian hip-hop artist KHAS became the new season's host, and Ihor Kondratiuk joined the project as creative producer.

The show's traditional location also changed. While 'Karaoke on Maidan' had long been associated with Khreshchatyk, filming for the updated version took place on Kontraktova Square in Kyiv.

At the same time, due to the security situation, filming for the autumn episodes, starting September 12, will take place in Zhytomyr.