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Love Island goes to two series a year in 2020 | Love Island goes to two series a year in 2020 |
(32 minutes later) | |
ITV has announced that one of its top shows, Love Island, is moving to two series a year in 2020. | ITV has announced that one of its top shows, Love Island, is moving to two series a year in 2020. |
Love Island is currently the most watched programme for adults aged 16-34 in the UK, across any channel. | Love Island is currently the most watched programme for adults aged 16-34 in the UK, across any channel. |
The latest season saw a new record of over 6 million viewers tune in across TV and devices. | The latest season saw a new record of over 6 million viewers tune in across TV and devices. |
"Off the back of a record-breaking year, we're delighted to be bringing an extra series.... to the 2020 schedule," said ITV's Paul Mortimer. | |
"Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences," the firm's head of digital channels and acquisitions added. | "Love Island has proven yet again to be the perfect format that engages younger audiences," the firm's head of digital channels and acquisitions added. |
"In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location." | "In response to this viewer appetite, a new batch of young singletons will deliver some highly anticipated post-Christmas romance and drama from our new and luxurious location." |
Next year, Love Island will host a second series of the year in a new winter location - a brand new villa in South Africa. | |
But profits and advertising have fallen, as the broadcaster reeled from an "uncertain economic and political environment". | But profits and advertising have fallen, as the broadcaster reeled from an "uncertain economic and political environment". |
Pre-tax profits at ITV fell 16% to £222m from £265m in the same period in the previous year, while revenues dropped 7% to £1.4bn. | Pre-tax profits at ITV fell 16% to £222m from £265m in the same period in the previous year, while revenues dropped 7% to £1.4bn. |
Advertising sales slid 5% to £849m from £890m, in 2018. | Advertising sales slid 5% to £849m from £890m, in 2018. |
Mental health concerns | |
In May, ITV cancelled the Jeremy Kyle Show after the death of a participant who had reportedly failed a lie detector test. | |
And there has been some controversy around Love Island after two former contestants died in 2017 and 2018. | |
When asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether Love Island should be cancelled too, ITV's chief executive Carolyn McCall disagreed. | |
She said that the circumstances surrounding the Jeremy Kyle Show were completely different to those around Love Island. | |
"Mind and the Samaritans tell the public constantly not to simplify links, and I'm afraid that's what media does," she said. | |
"The two contestants, who were really popular contestants - Sophie and Mike - there was nearly a two-year gap for each of them and they did lots and lots of other things after Love Island, so I think it's a strange thing... to bring up to be honest." | |
'Real world' | |
She defended ITV's decision to offer contestants counselling after they leave the show: "We offer that because we think it is important if you come out of a villa after eight weeks - you were living a very different life and you're now coming out into the real world. | |
"And adjusting to that real world can be quite difficult to some people, and that's why we offer counselling or therapy." | |
Ms McCall said she watches the show every night and felt that Love Island does offer the public value. | |
"The thing about Love Island is that it's a dating show. If you watch it, it is entertaining, but it is also about the every-day ups and downs of relationships," she said. | |
"They are also very kind and supportive and they discuss a lot of issues that a lot of people value because they are issues that happen in modern-day relationships." |