London – Temptation Island, Banijay Group’s reality format, is beginning a new revival around the world as Italian free-to-air broadcaster Canale 5 signs a significant commission for a fresh new local version.

Banijay Group company Ambra Multimedia will produce a 4 x 120’ series in co-production with production house Fascino. Airing weekly on Mediaset network Canale 5, the series will launch in summer 2014.

Created by Chris Cowan and Jean-Michel Michenaud, Temptation Island was a smash hit for U.S. network Fox from 2001. Following that success, it enjoyed a number of high-rating international adaptations in the early 2000s, in over a dozen countries including the UK, Australia, France, Brazil and Russia.

Francois de Brugada, COO, Banijay Group, commented, “We’re very pleased to see Temptation Island coming back in a major territory. It is a series which guarantees compelling “must-see” content with wide audience appeal. The international market is currently very receptive to classic formats that provide a strong sales and ratings history, such as Temptation Island. I am confident we will soon be announcing more local versions, as the international success of the new Temptation Island continues to build.”

The classic, controversial reality format Temptation Island has been refreshed for a new generation by Banijay Group. Four couples in committed relationships head to a remote island paradise to spend 12 days and nights – without their partner. On opposite sides of the island, the men will be surrounded by a dozen ladies, and the women by 12 guys. These 24 hot singles have a mission – to do everything they can to make the couples give in to temptation. Life in each camp is filled with wild parties, romantic escapades and intimate dates, but while they might feel single, they soon find that every action has consequences. At the end of twelve days – will the couples go home together, or go their separate ways?