MBC orders Mid-East version of Talpa’s ‘Million Dollar Island’

Million Dollar Island

MENA-based MBC Group has become the latest buyer of Talpa format, Million Dollar Island.

The reality survival show, which recently sold to NBC in the US, will be produced in Saudi Arabia by Blue Engine Studios, Talpa’s regional partner.

The show is set to air on a yet-to-be-announced MBC channel, as well as on streamer Shahid VIP.

Million Dollar Island is a high-stakes social experiment in which 100 contestants must forge friendships and build alliances as they plot to stay on a remote desert island for up to 50 days and compete to win their share of the ultimate $1m prize.

Upon arrival each contestant is given a bracelet worth $10,000. During their time on the island, contestants gain and lose bracelets through various challenges, but when a player leaves the island, they must choose who will receive their portion of the money.

Million Dollar Island was created by John de Mol’s Talpa Concepts and Monday Media. It is distributed by Talpa Distribution and first launched on SBS6 in the Netherlands. Amazon Prime has a day-and-date SVOD second window.

All3Media-backed Studio Lambert is behind the US adaptation of the Dutch series, after partnering with Jon De Mol’s Talpa in January to take the format into both the States and the UK.