PRODU recently visited the filming location of “La granja VIP,” the most ambitious reality show co-produced by TV Azteca and Fremantle, set in the southern part of Mexico City. This project replicates a large-scale working farm equipped with over 55 robotic cameras, social areas, and spaces dedicated to animals. A group of 16 celebrities will live and compete to keep the farm operational.
A GLOBAL FORMAT ARRIVES IN MEXICO
For Martín Solmesky, VP of Production at Fremantle, bringing this format to Mexico signifies a pivotal moment in the collaboration with the broadcaster. “The farm project in Mexico is a significant achievement for our co-production with TV Azteca. We’ve introduced this format after many years. It’s a highly successful and beloved format within the Fremantle family,” he stated.
Solmesky added that the production posed unique challenges due to its scale and technical demands: “As you can see, it’s enormous. It requires extensive work and preparation, with many people behind the scenes to ensure its success. The challenge is something never seen before: celebrities working on a farm and competing for a prize in a playful context.”
Johanna Helman, general director of Fremantle Mexico and head of production for Latin America, emphasized the importance of this adaptation for the Mexican market. “This format adapts to each territory. In this case, we made a strong adaptation for Mexico, featuring 24/7 coverage and celebrities as participants. We’ve built a farm that will truly surprise them,” she remarked. Helman believes the project will serve as a turning point for Mexican television and particularly for TV Azteca.
LARGE-SCALE PRODUCTION WITH INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY
David Ortiz, executive producer at Fremantle, explained that constructing the set took over two months, with weather conditions presenting a significant challenge. “The climate has been a determining factor. It’s a real farm. Rain and cold impacted the construction process. We’ve been working on this project for a year,” he noted.
This format, which boasts over 20 years of history and presence in 50 countries, will premiere in Mexico for the first time. “The differentiation of this format is its proximity to animals. It’s not just a confinement reality show. Participants must work and keep the farm afloat. Interacting with cows, chickens, and other animals adds a more humane aspect,” Ortiz added.
Alejandro Esquivel, director of Entertainment Production and Special Events at TV Azteca, highlighted the vast expanse of the farm, which exceeds several thousand square meters. “We have barns, corrals, chicken coops, sheep, pigs, and horses—everything needed for the farmers to perform their daily tasks,” he explained.
Esquivel also emphasized the extensive technical setup: “This project involves considerable technology. We have over 55 robotic cameras tracking movement inside and outside. There are antennas, screens, and an operational assembly in place to record everything that happens.”
Meanwhile, Adrian Ortega, general director of Content at TV Azteca, underscored how this format aligns with the broadcaster’s identity. “We’ve had our eye on this for a while. We said: this is part of the DNA of TV Azteca. We produce over a thousand hours of reality television a year, and we saw this project fit perfectly,” he stated. Ortega explained that the digital strategy is comprehensive and includes partnerships with various platforms. “We have a strong relationship with Disney, with Fremantle as the co-producer, as well as with TikTok, where 16 content creators will be the first to explore the farm and share their experiences.”
As the show prepares for its debut, it promises to inject excitement into the reality TV landscape in Mexico, enticing viewers with its unique blend of entertainment and genuine farm life experiences.