Reality show, Love Island has been billed to air in the autumn.
Gatekeepers News reports that Love Island which went into production in Nigeria last summer will be aired this autumn after the ITV Studios format was picked up by a partnership of Nigerian and UK players in September 2020.
Lagos-based media and broadcast investment company Digital Play Africa after acquiring the format licence to the show from ITV Studios, teamed with Executive Producer of the UK’s Chudor House Productions, Odiri Iwuji, and Series Producer Neil Oyenekan.
The casting for Love Island Nigeria was held in July, while the production took place during the summer.
Earlier at a press event, the Producer told viewers to expect 20 singletons living and loving in a camera-lined luxury villa for seven weeks. The press event was also attended by sponsors, press, and representatives of the UK Department of International Trade.
Iwuji added that the Nigerian version of the format will be broadcast via Digital Play Africa-backed platform FreeTV’s free-to-air and premium channels including ONTV and MTV Base, and will also be made available for digital streaming via the 9Vision mobile app.
In 2015, Love Island began airing on ITV in the UK and has since been adapted locally in 21 countries including the US, South Africa, and across Europe. However, the producers noted that this version will be the first to feature only black contestants.
Digital Play Africa Chief Toyin Subair while commenting on the local adaptation of the series, said Love Island “perfectly sums up the expectations Nigerians have of entertainment as the programme offers a rich mix of fun while still touching on the subjects of friendship, love, romance and enduring relationships between islanders.”
“Love Island is perfect for the Nigerian youth audience; it simply ticks all the boxes,” said Iwuji, who is also co-founder and commercial director of C21Media.
The Series producer – Oyenekan added: “Dating is a critical part of millennials maturation in today’s Africa, and Love Island Nigeria offers a ‘verified’ format through which its key stages get tested – we expect great entertainment!”
The head, Global Content, and Productions at ITV Studios Global Entertainment, Huub Van Ballegooy, added: “As we have already seen in different parts of the world, Love Island works equally well across linear, digital, and catch-up platforms. With love being a universal language and the growing Nigerian market, we are very excited to roll out Love Island soon in Nigeria as well.”
Love Island is owned by ITV Studios and Motion Content Group and distributed internationally by ITV Studios.
