The decision to host two Love Island series was announced by ITV2 on Wednesday morning, according to The Independent. Even better news: viewers won’t have to wait until the end of 2020 for the winter season. Instead, it will premiere early in the year.
Everything about the summer season will stay the same, it seems. The winter season, however, won’t return to Mallorca. It will take place in an all-new, South African villa. If the format will differ in other ways is still unknown.
The reason for introducing a second series comes from the wild ratings Love Island has received this summer. “Off the back of a record-breaking year, we’re delighted to be bringing an extra series of our biggest and sunniest show to the 2020 schedule,” explained Paul Mortimer, head of digital channels and acquisitions at ITV. “Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences.”
While the U.K. version skyrockets and plans to expand by 100 percent, the U.S. version is not faring nearly so well. CBS launched the American version just weeks ago, but media conversations already suggest the show may not return to the platform next summer. The series averages 2.3 million viewers per episode, according to Variety. Meanwhile, the U.K. Love Island series recently hit its highest viewer mark in all five seasons, boasting 6 million viewers.
Love Island is a dating reality show that puts a handful of singles, known as Islanders, in a house together for the summer. Each week, the Islanders are required to “couple up.” As the summer goes on, relationships form and fail. It’s all in competition for a grand, money prize, and finding true love.
The U.K. version has presented more than its share of drama this season. A handful of seemingly strong couples have fallen apart when new threats have walked into the villa.
Love Island will end it’s current U.K. run next week. An official air date for the newly announced winter season has not yet been announced.
