In the United States, The Masked Singer is one of the most-watched reality competitions on television. With elaborate costumes, unexpected talent, and exciting celebrity reveals, the show has all the ingredients for great TV viewing. In fact, its popularity is so massive that it cannot be limited to just one country.
Throughout the globe, there are several versions of the acclaimed singing contest, each with their own native celebrities featured both on the panel and on the stage. No matter where viewers live or what language they speak, this series appeals to their appreciation for music and their eagerness to guess who is behind each mask.
Belgium (VTM)
One of the newer additions to the franchise, The Masked Singer debuted in Belgium in 2020 with a short season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first winner was Eurovision star, Sandra Kim.
She was in the elegant Queen costume, with flowing white lace and a diamond-studded mask topped with a spiked crown. The show airs on the Flanders station VTM, although the date for a second season has yet to be revealed.
Finland (MTV3)
Launching its first season in 2020, the Finnish edition of the franchise is titled Masked Singer Suomi since "Suomi" means "Finnish" in the native language. The first two winning celebrities of this version are comedian Sami Hedberg and heavy metal musician Marko Hietala.
Hedberg donned the getup of a warrior Lion, while Hietala posed as a steampunk Doctor. The third season premieres in August 2021 on MTV3, which is an exclusively Finnish network rather than an extension of America's MTV channel.
France (TF1)
The series Masked Singer that premiered in 2019 is France's part of the global franchise. The first winner was TV presenter Laurence Boccolini as the ironclad Unicorn, while the second season resulted in singer Larusso as the champion with his laidback Penguin costume.
Other remarkable costumes included a cute Cupcake, a tute-wearing Fox, and a newly hatched Dragon. French fans who are anticipating season 3 should tune in to the French channel TF1.
Germany (ProSeiben)
Kicking off in 2019, the German version of The Masked Singer follows the same format as several other international variations. Past winners have mainly been famous German singers, with Max Mutzke as a glitzy Astronaut, Sarah Lombardi as a regal Skeleton, and Sasha as a kid Dinosaur.
The exception is actor Tom Beck winning Season 2 as a Sloth in pajamas. When season 5 airs in October 2021, fans can watch it on the German channel ProSieben.
Mexico (Las Estrellas/Univision)
Translated from Spanish into Who Is The Mask?, the Mexican rendition of the show debuted in the summer of 2019. Winners so far have been actors rather than professional singers, with both Vadhir Derbez and Maria Leon taking the crown.
Derbez dressed up as a high-class Chameleon while Leon sported a chic Disco Ball costume. When season 3 comes to the airwaves, it will be on the networks Las Estrellas in Mexico and Univision in the United States.
Netherlands (RTL Nederland)
For the Netherlands, its version of The Masked Singer started in 2019 and is performed in native Dutch. Singers Tania Cross and Jan Dulles have been the champions so far. Cross donned a muscle suit for a cyber gladiator look as the Robot.
Dulles, for his season, depicted the sea god Neptune with an ornate silver mask and a prop trident. When the show returns for season 3, viewers can tune in to Dutch network RTL Nederland to watch it.
New Zealand (Three)
A recent addition to The Masked Singer franchise, the New Zealand series premiered in May 2021. The first winner was rock musician Jason Kerrison. The lead singer of the band Opshop took on the disguise of a purple Tuatara, a reptile native to the island country.
Other masks of this initial season included a metallic Medusa and a multicolored Moa bird. The anticipated second season will air on New Zealand channel Three.
Philippines (TV5)
Broadcast from the Philippines, Masked Singer Pilipinas joined the franchise in the fall of 2020. The first season's winner was singer-songwriter Daryl Ong, who became famous through the country's version of the reality show The Voice.
Ong was hidden in the getup of a Dragonfly in a sports suit, while other contestants came on in costumes such as a Butterfly and an Eagle. Although season 2 is still in the works, viewers can expect to catch it on the Philippine network TV5.
Russia (NTV)
The Russian edition of The Masked Singer hit airwaves in March 2020. The winners so far have been boy band member Anatoly Tsoy as a golden Lion and singer JONY as a cowboy Crocodile.
Other Russian celebrities have participated in various types of outfits, from cultural Dolls and glittery Rain Clouds to tuxedo-wearing Pandas and ace-pilot Rhinos. For fans waiting for the third season, Russian channel NTV is the place to watch.
Switzerland (ProSeiben)
Premiering in November 2020, the first season of The Masked Singer Switzerland featured a smaller cast of eight celebrities. The initial winner was pop singer Baschi, who was unrecognizable as a Marmot in a traditional Alpine outfit.
Other singers wore disguises like a Fox, a Hedgehog, and a Saint Bernard. While a second season has not been announced yet, viewers should stay tuned to the Swiss feed for the German-based network ProSeiben in order to see it.
Ukraine (Ukraina)
Premiering in 2021, The Masked Singer Ukraine is hosted by stand-up comedian Volodymyr Ostapchuk. The first winner was Zlata Ognevich, a singer and former member of the Ukrainian Parliament. She hid in the garb of a Sun, with long feathery rays and metallic gold boots. T
here was also a Dragon and a Cyclops among the cast. Once the premiere date for season 2 is announced, fans can watch it on the Ukrainian national channel Ukraina.
Italy (Rai 1)
Titled Il Cantante Mascherato in its native Italian, this version of the franchise made its debut in January 2020. There have been two seasons so far, with actor Teo Mammucari and musician Red Canzian as the previous winners.
Mammacuri took on the persona of a Rabbit in a leather jacket, while Canzian dressed up as a dapper Parrot in a blue velvet coat. When season 3 airs in 2022, it will be on Italian channel Rai 1.
United Kingdom (ITV)
The U.K. version of The Masked Singer launched in January 2020. The first two victors have been British pop stars Nicola Roberts and Joss Stone. Roberts hid behind the mask of a royal Queen Bee with a crown made of honeycomb, while Stone hilariously disguised herself as a Sausage and fries wrapped in newspaper.
To see who is behind the masks for the upcoming season, viewers will tune in to British network ITV.
Australia (Network 10)
Filmed at the Australian branch of Fox Studios, The Masked Singer Australia premiered in September 2019. The first two champions were singer-actors Cody Simpson and Bonnie Anderson.
Simpson fit himself into a futuristic Robot outfit for his disguise, while Anderson took on the look of a rusty bushranger (bushrangers were outlaws of the outback during the 18th and 19th centuries). Season 3 is set to air in 2021 on Australian TV station Network 10.
South Korea (MBC)
This is the rendition that started it all. Translated to The King of Mask Singer in English, the South Korean program was the first version of the show to hit the airwaves when it aired in 2015.
Contestants typically consist of former K-pop idols, with more simplistic cutout masks to hide thier identities instead of the detailed costumes that other countries have used. The series can be seen on MBC, one of the top providers of South Korean television.