Banijay’s Tempting Offer

Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Banijay’s head of format acquisitions, talks to TV Formats about Temptation Island, which was first launched on FOX in the U.S. in January 2001 and now has 20-plus iterations.

Temptation Island is 20 years old this year, and the Banijay format is as hot as ever. “Markets like the U.S. and Germany have both seen incredibly successful resurgences of the show with comebacks in recent years, and we are continuing to see the format travel to new territories, with South Africa set to be the latest,” says Carlotta Rossi Spencer, Banijay’s head of format acquisitions.

Rossi Spencer adds that the format has had the capacity “to grow and respond to the demands of new generations of viewers and, in general, to social evolution. The format was one of the first in the reality space, marking an important change in the way stories were told on TV.”

The show was initially focused on the power of the word “temptation” and on the idea that no one—even the strongest couples—could resist it. “The couples taking part knew they were getting on a show to potentially split up and the singles were there to do just that,” Rossi Spencer says. “It was a perfect proposition at the time, when reality TV was much more boisterous, loud and pushing the boundaries.”

But reality TV and its viewers have changed—and matured. “The attention to detail and the fact that stories need to be told as they are, plus the integral nature of duty of care, have become some of the most important elements of reality TV,” Rossi Spencer says. “Temptation Island has done precisely this; it has moved away from negative behavior and focused everything on the couples and their process toward achieving a healthier relationship.”

The adventure on the island is a journey of emotions for the couples that also becomes one of self-discovery, looking at partners at a crossroad who need answers and are open to discovering whether their relationship is in the right place. The singles are no longer called “tempters,” and they themselves are looking for something genuine.

“The strength of Temptation Island is that it can constantly mirror what is happening to couples around the globe right now and therefore amps up the relatability for viewers,” says Rossi Spencer. “Of course, Temptation Island is still set in beautiful locations, but the format elements that make it a success 20 years on are so strong that even if we were to film in the snow in Alaska, viewers would still want to know what the couples’ ultimate decisions would be.”

The show is being produced for TV Now in Germany, two new seasons (VIP and non-VIP) are being shot in Greece, Italy is in production for its ninth season for Canale 5, and the Netherlands is in production for its fourth season on Viaplay, shooting in Spain. Elsewhere, Spain is in production for Mediaset, with its fourth season shooting in the Dominican Republic, while South Africa finished the production of its first season (shot locally), which will drop on Showmax later this year. Finland is producing its tenth season in Spain.

“All of our shows currently in production have made comebacks after a period of rest,” Rossi Spencer says. “There is now not one of these territories where the show is not considered a returner. In a way, Temptation Islandbegan a new life in the mid-2010s, with a significant resurgence, and from that point, the show has continued to go from strength-to-strength around the globe, with ratings-smashing seasons in Spain for instance, which has broken its own viewing records with every new series that airs.”

For the various international iterations, the most innovative adaptations are the ones that shifted the format from party-based reality show to relationship experiment, says Rossi Spencer. “This change started with the Italian, Spanish and U.S. versions. All our newer adaptations are following suit, focusing on the hardships of people in relationships and following their journeys as they go looking for answers.”

The format is highly adaptable, she adds, as there are iterations such as VIP alongside spin-offs and companion shows. “Surpassing 1 billion lifetime views across social media, the show is evolving with its viewers, and the growing cross-platform audiences are testament to this,” Rossi Spencer says.

“Each version adapts to the demands in their market, which can be seen particularly with the digital innovations that are emerging. We have the Temptation Island app in local markets, and there is strong growth in digital support shows across SVOD, AVOD and social media. In Spain, where Temptation Island was the most talked-about show across social media, we deliver a hugely popular after-show on Instagram (this format also works extremely well in the U.S.). In the Netherlands, the network’s SVOD gives fans extra insight and exclusive content with companion show Temptation Talk.”

Overall, Banijay is seeing a significant increase in demand from buyers for international versions of popular non-scripted shows that can be cost-effective and produced in high volume. “With a highly adaptable format bringing strong cross-platform audiences, Temptation Island delivers,” says Rossi Spencer.

“This is an evergreen show that has been entertaining audiences for 20 years—it is extremely versatile, with new iterations such as VIP growing in popularity, and the format has been allowed to evolve as a reality show to meet changing audience demands.”