Hit unscripted format Love Island is set for a local adaptation in the Quebec market.
Quebecor Content has acquired the remake rights to the U.K. dating format, with Montreal-based Productions Déferlantes attached to produce. The project will be filmed on location in the Canary Islands. There’s no word yet on when filming will commence or how many episodes have been ordered.
Since it debuted in the U.K. in 2015, Love Island has become one of the most sought-after formats in the unscripted space. For U.K. broadcaster ITV2, the series has been a ratings juggernaut, airing for six seasons thus far.
The show takes place in a luxurious villa, with contestants needing to stay coupled up in order to avoid the prospect of elimination.
It has been adapted in 18 countries to date, including the U.S. (CBS), Australia (9 Go! and Nine Network) and France (Amazon Prime Video). In 2020 alone, format rights holder ITV Studios has sold the format to five new territories, including Spain and Italy. The deal with Quebecor Content represents the first time the series has been adapted in Canada.
With the adaptation, Productions Déferlantes will look to build on its track record of successful format remakes. The production company’s adaptation of The Voice (called La Voix in the Quebec market) has been a consistent ratings driver for TVA since it premiered in 2013.