Love Island ‘on the verge’ of American version after huge success in UK
ITV looking for new US deal after MTV pulled out of airing showITV is apparently close to striking a deal to take Love Island to the United States following its unprecedented success in the UK.
The fourth series of the revived dating contest wrapped on ITV2 yesterday, with fans crowning Jack Fincham and Dani Dyer the winners.
It continued the show’s ratings momentum, with 3.6million viewers watching the final – ITV2’s highest rating ever.
The broadcaster says an average of 5million viewers per episode have been tuning in, when consolidated ratings are combined with requests on the ITV Hub.
Now it seems the mind-boggling stats have been raising eyebrows across the pond.
Deadline reports that ITV Studios is “on the verge” of agreeing a deal for an American version of Love Island.
According to the entertainment industry website, MTV had in fact signed up to air 20 episodes of a US remake.
However, the cable channel ended up backing out following a management shake-up.
It is unclear which networks are now interested in taking the show.
Mike Beale, the managing director of ITV Studios’ global creative network, said: “For us, it’s about finding the right place.
“It’s very different offering to anything else America has done before, even in this dating environment.
“We talk about the key elements being the event, the stripped nature and multiple platforms so getting that right is important and that’s tricky. We’re definitely working on it.”
ITV’s new CEO Carolyn McCall also recently hinted that a new adaptation is on the cards.
“It’s a very strong franchise and we’re about to sign something else that would be a really good market,” she said.
While an American deal would be the biggest yet, Love Island has already gone international.
Earlier this year, Love Island Australia premiered on the Nine Network’s 9GO! channel, breaking digital viewing records.
The format has also been picked up in Germany, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
ITV2 has confirmed that Love Island will return for its fifth UK series in 2019.
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