CBS recouples with ‘Love Island’

Love Island is returning Stateside for a second season.

US broadcaster CBS has renewed the ITV Entertainment-produced format one week out from its season one finale.

Kelly Kahl, president of CBS Entertainment, and Thom Sherman, SVP of programming for CBS Entertainment, announced the renewal at the Television Critics Association press tour this week.

News of a second outing comes despite middling ratings for the Fiji-set reality show, which opened with 2.6m and has averaged around 2.2m over the course of the month-long series that kicked off on 9 July and runs until 7 August. The programme has drawn a 0.5 rating among 18-49s.

CBS has said it is betting on the show because it appeals to a younger, more female demographic. Love Island is also the broadcaster’s most-streamed new show on SVOD service CBS All Access and CBS.com in over a year.

Despite lukewarm ratings, CBS is likely to have been encouraged by Love Island’s steady year-on-year growth in the UK, where it averaged an audience of 570,000 on ITV2 in its first season before growing to a series five debut in June of 3.3m.

Executive producers on Love Island US, which is based on the original format by ITV Studios and Motion Content Group, include David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg, Simon Thomas, Mandy Morris, Ben Thursby, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster.

Kahl said: ““The passion of Love Island’s audience is incredible. The intensity of their social media engagement has created tremendous enthusiasm for the series here at the Network. We love the show’s creative execution and can’t wait for next season.”

Sherman added: “After its first season, the UK version exploded via word of mouth and social media to become a huge hit, and its viewership has grown every year. We believe first season US fans are just as passionate and engaged and we look forward to building on that foundation with another fun season next summer.”

ITV America CEO and EP David George said: “CBS has been a fantastic partner, understanding and supporting right from the get-go the value of Love Island as a format that transcends linear TV. We’re thrilled to be their partner on this show and to be working together on a new season we’re confident will continue to draw and enthral viewers across platforms.”