US version of Love Island will launch on CBS next month with filming in Fiji and episodes airing five days a week like the UK original... but it won't be as risque
- CBS will begin to air the US version of popular UK dating show Love Island July 9
- ITV producer David Eilenberg is bringing the TV show across the pond
- The show will air five days a week and will be set on the island of Fiji
- In the show a group of attractive young singles are filmed 24/7 on a quest to find love and win the vote of viewers for best couple
- The US version will be less racy and provocative than the scandalous UK version
- Season 5 of the UK version kicked off on June 3
It's happening.
The US version of the hugely popular UK dating show Love Island is coming to CBS on July 9 and is set to shake up the landscape of American reality television.
Like its British counterpart, the remake will run five days a week and follow the same format. And producers are hoping it will be a pop culture sensation.
'We want to feel like the World Cup of reality TV,' ITV executive and executive producer David Eilenberg told Entertainment Weekly.
Pop culture phenomenon: The US version of the UK's super popular Love Island is coming to CBS on July 9 and will air five nights a week like the original (pictured)
Instead of Spain, the American singletons will be thrown together in a tropical Fiji villa.
The sexy show, which has taken the UK by storm since launching in 2015, is a bit like Big Brother in that a group of attractive young single strangers are filmed 24/7 as they live together, with the intention of finding love and winning the prize money.
Contestants must couple up and choose their partners wisely so they can win over the public who vote each week on their favorite couple.
Couples are faced with the continual temptation of sexy new singles arriving to the villa each week ready to compete for mates.
Will it lose its appeal? When news of the remake was first reported last year it was met with some criticism that the American version would have to be toned down. Two contestants are seen playing a risque game on the current season 5 of the UK version
'We have to conform to broadcast standards, so what happens with language and — to some extent — what we see visually will be a little different because of the platform we’re on,' ITV executive and executive producer David Eilenberg told Entertainment Weekly .
'I think it resonates with young people and the way the dating world is,' Eilenberg says. 'One thing we hear about dating apps is you’re constantly contending with FOMO and that some hotter better person might be right around the corner — so when do you actually commit? The mechanics of this show bring that conundrum to life.'
When news of the remake was first reported last year it was met with some criticism that the American version would have to be toned down and not have the same appeal as the sexually explicit British version.
But Eilenberg says the aim is to keep it as close to the original format as possible.
'We want to make sure the show is the show. It’s an aspirational, sexy, fun summer show. And the UK show has become less provocative and more broad appeal over time.'
Fun format: Contestants must couple up and choose their partners wisely so they can win over the public who vote each week on their favorite couple. Pictured are some of the stars of last year's season four
'I think it resonates with young people and the way the dating world is,' Eilenberg says of how cut-throat the real world of dating apps can be
The episodes have a loose format with mainly made up of conversations between the contestants and daily goings-on in the villa, interspersed with some challenges ranging from the ridiculous to the extremely risque.
Some of the more naughty challenges - such as one where housemates demonstrate their favorite sexual positions on each other - will inevitably have to be watered down for US audiences.
Eilenberg explains, 'We have to conform to broadcast standards, so what happens with language and — to some extent — what we see visually will be a little different because of the platform we’re on,
'There’s going to be a mix [of games] just as there is on the UK show,' Eilenberg reveals.
'There are games that are meant to bond, games that are meant to spark attraction, and games that are just hilarious… The US Islanders have seen the UK show, for the most part. They know what they’re walking into and are excited to do it.'
The episodes have a loose format with mainly made up of conversations between the contestants and daily goings-on in the villa - along with some fun and sexy challenges
Season five kicked off in the UK on June 3 and US fans of the original Love Island can watch all the action on Hulu, with streaming of the current season available at the end of June. The complete first four seasons are already available for binging.
It was reported last August that CBS had acquired the US format rights to remake the hit British show from ITV Studios and Motion Content Group.
CBS made a series order to the adaptation, to be produced by ITV Entertainment which oversaw the reboot of Queer Eye on Netflix.
'Love Island has been a massive success overseas,' said CBS' head of alternative programming Sharon Vuong at the time.
'Having seen the reaction of audiences 'across the pond' and around the world to this most recent season, we expect American viewers will be captivated by this engaging format' CBS' head of alternative programming Sharon Vuong said last year
Crazy popular: Nearly four million people tuned in to watch Dani and Jack win the Love Island 2018 final
'It's currently seen, or about to premiere in several European countries as well as Australia, and we're thrilled that ITV has partnered with us to bring their most successful show to American television.
'We want to feel like the World Cup of reality TV,' ITV executive and executive producer David Eilenberg said on bringing the show to the US
'Having seen the reaction of audiences 'across the pond' and around the world to this most recent season, we expect American viewers will be captivated by this engaging format. Additionally, Love Island is more than a pop sensation; this series has generated compelling 'sociological think pieces' in major publications here and abroad.'
Love Island Australia premiered in May 2018, while Germany’s version started back in September 2017.
ITV Studios also sold the format to Finland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden.
'As a format, Love Island breaks the mold with high levels of viewer interactivity and participation that influence the content of the show in a way that’s extremely addictive,' said David George, CEO, ITV America.
'It's a cultural phenomenon that builds anticipation with every episode and creates appointment viewing – a pretty hard thing to do in today’s TV landscape. We're ecstatic the show has found a home at CBS and look forward to working collaboratively to engage its millions of viewers.'
