‘Star Factory’ and ‘Ukraine’s Got Talent’ are returning in 2026 in Ukraine. Are these shows still relevant today?

In Ukraine’s creative industry, this year will be remembered for the return of the cult programmes “Star Factory”, “Ukraine’s Got Talent” and “The Voice of the Country”. Many details are already known about the first two, but many people have been asking: ‘Will these formats still be relevant today?’ And although it’s difficult to judge without having seen them, I’ll give it a go.

In my opinion, the key question is whether the shows themselves are ready to adapt to the new music industry.

Ukraine’s Got Talent

Source: Детектор медіа

We currently know that the programme will be broadcast on 23 August on the STB TV channel. The judging panel will consist of presenter and actress Olena Kravets, actor Stas Boklan and singer Artem Pivovarov. It is the latter that has sparked the most discussion on social media (after the programme’s budget).

And whilst Artem Pivovarov’s inclusion raises almost no questions, the appointment of Olena Kravets and Stas Boklan has become the subject of lively debate. It is worth remembering that “Ukraine’s Got Talent” is not strictly a music show. Its contestants come from a wide variety of creative professions: singers, dancers, circus performers, magicians, comedians and many others.

That is precisely why the judges here play a slightly different role than, for example, on “The Voice of the Country” or “Star Factory”. They are not necessarily expected to teach a contestant how to build a singing career. Their task is to assess the performance, stage presence, artistry and potential of the performer.

Source: the official ‘Ukraine’s Got Talent’ Instagram account (@ukrainegottalent)

At the same time, it seems to me that a project returning after a long hiatus could better reflect the contemporary Ukrainian creative industry. I would like to see experts who are actively shaping the cultural landscape in various fields today.

It is also worth noting that the composition of the jury is a form of promotion. Each judge brings their own audience with them, who may potentially become viewers and, in some cases, participants.

That is precisely why the choice of celebrity judges is one of the key marketing tools. If a project positions itself as a platform for discovering new talent, it is logical to expect that it will also seek to attract a younger audience.

Star Factory

The creators of this project are already demonstrating that they want to act as a bridge between the millennial generation, who watched the old series, and the Gen Z generation, who are only just discovering it. ‘Star Factory’ is conceived as a platform to help launch new artists, particularly those who write their own music.

The presenter will be one of the most prominent ‘alumni’ from previous seasons — singer Volodymyr Dantes. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, we’ll be accompanied by blogger Dasha Kubik. She represents the new digital generation, which already demonstrates how the creators are trying to adapt to modern realities.

Source: Фокус

“The platform is preparing an incredibly large-scale show featuring a host of new formats, with digital taking centre stage. The project will run non-stop. Viewers will be able to follow the contestants not just once a week, but literally every day via Reels, TikTok and exclusive content. As a blogger, I feel that the future lies in formats like these, and I’m really excited to be part of this new digital era of show business,” said Dasha Kubik.

The name of the mentor has also been revealed — it is director, screenwriter, music video director and presenter Alan Badoev. In recent years, he has become particularly famous for his music videos, although to many he is also known as one of the most popular presenters of the programme ‘Orel i Reshka’.

Source: Детектор медіа

In my view, it is Alan Badoev who best illustrates the direction the new ‘Star Factory’ has taken. Today, he is associated not only with television but also with the modern Ukrainian music industry. His work for Ukrainian artists regularly features in the media, and he himself has a keen understanding of how to create content that works not only on screen but also in the digital sphere.

Looking at the project team that has already been announced, one gets the impression that its creators are trying to speak to young people in their own language. There is a person who has gone from being a contestant to a successful artist; there is a representative of the digital content generation; and there is a director who is currently shaping the visual identity of our music scene.

Today, Ukraine needs a show that helps newcomers launch their careers: to work on original material, develop their personal brand, get a behind-the-scenes look at the business, and find their audience.

Unfortunately, in recent years this role has been filled by a competition with a completely different aim — Ukraine’s national selection for Eurovision. Some artists have even made no secret of the fact that they applied solely to make a name for themselves. And this is entirely logical: today, there are almost no major television platforms left in Ukraine capable of giving a young performer such a powerful launchpad.

Perhaps right now, Ukrainian talent shows have a chance to reclaim the role they once played: to become a place where young people can take their first step towards a professional career. After all, every new generation needs its own platforms for self-expression — ones that understand modern digital platforms and the challenges young artists face today.