Finnish net to visit Temptation Island

Banijay International’s classic reality format Temptation Island is heading to a broadcaster in Finland.

Nelonen Media-owned female-skewed channel Liv has commissioned Banijay Finland to produce a local version, the CEO of the latter, Joonas Hytonen, told TBI.

Production begins soon in Asia ahead of a launch next year.

This comes after Temptation Island returned to screens in Italy earlier this year on Canale 5. The format, from Chris Cowan and Jean-Michel Michenaud, began life on Fox in the US in 2001, and was subsequently sold around the world.

Banijay, which controls rights to the show, has recently been seeking to give new life to classic catalogue formats such as Temptation Island and Popstars.

The format sees members of committed couples live on a paradise island without their partner while surrounded by 12 members of the opposite sex.

“Dating formats have always been difficult in Finland, but this is different – it is a provocative show,” Hytonen said. “Not only that, but it has also lasted the test of time.”