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ITV considered hosting this summer’s edition of Love Island in Cornwall instead of Mallorca, although it seems increasingly likely that the series will be canceled entirely.
The reality show, which has been vital to ITV’s financial performance in recent years, has already been delayed since its traditional June start date due to the coronavirus pandemic.
ITV television director Kevin Lygo said the production team had studied the filming of Love Island in Cornwall later in the summer, but had concerns that “arriving in the UK would not be the same show.”
He said in a virtual session of the Edinburgh television festival that a final decision would be made in the coming weeks on whether to cancel the program, which employs around 200 people.
Lygo also suggested that Love Island may not fit the national mood. “What signal could it be sending if we are doing a show where everyone is crowded, holding each other, while the rest of the world has been told not to go near anyone in the park?
“We are approaching the moment of” is it feasible? “,” Will Mallorca open its doors to hundreds of production people? “” Will there have to be a quarantine? “We have to take all of that into account. We will make a decision soon.”
Lygo also said that the soap operas, which have already been broadcasting on a reduced schedule, will soon fall off the air unless filming can be resumed. Emmerdale will run out of episodes in late May and Coronation Street in June.
He said Emmerdale had prepared a series of episodes that were “just two people talking”, which could theoretically be filmed according to the rules of physical distance if necessary.
He said the channel was learning from its next series of 15-minute drama isolation stories, in which the actors and their families were filmed in their homes with directors sitting outside.
Lygo said a major problem was that insurers refused to cover the cost of production that would stop if a cast or crew member contracts coronavirus. “This summer, believe me, there will be a lot of replays,” he said.
Successful shows like Britain Got Talent can also be dropped due to physical distancing rules, though surprise hit The Masked Singer will be filmed in the fall even if an audience can’t be present.
Lygo said he was concerned that although TV audiences had skyrocketed, the increase was primarily due to daytime and news shows rather than peak-time programming. “You can see that people’s habits are changing because they are discovering Netflix, Amazon, Disney + and storing things.”
Lygo was asked what the public would see on television in early 2021, given that television production has stopped in recent months. He replied, “They will be watching a repeat of the Midsomer murders, I can tell you now with great confidence.”
