The Seven Network has been forced to delay production on its bold new reality series Million Dollar Island after asbestos was found on the production location.
TV Tonight has revealed asbestos fibres were detected on the film set during pre-production for the new reality series.
The exposure of the potentially deadly material on the Malaysian film set caused producers Eureka to immediately suspend production on the expensive series.
TV Blackbox understands the 100 contestants participating in the series had been due to fly out of Australia on Saturday Oct 8, before being informed by producers that filming had been pushed back “due to bad weather“, and filming could now take place “as late as December-January”
A spokesperson for Channel 7 confirmed the asbestos issue but added the network remained committed to delivering the series on time in 2023.
“There is simply a delay in pre-production” “This does not change our transmission date plans.”
The SMH is reporting Million Dollar Island is expected to cost Channel 7 over $700,000 per episode to produce.
This latest setback comes after Seven Network was forced to cancel US filming on Holey Moley in 2020 due to heavy rain. While in 2021 the network was forced to make a last-minute decision to cancel production on Australia’s Got Talent after COVID lockdowns were implemented in Sydney.
TV Blackbox was the first to reveal the commissioning of the highly anticipated format back in February which is set to be hosted by Ant Middleton.
Channel 7 remains committed to premiering Million Dollar Island in 2023, the network is yet to confirm full details but it’s likely the new franchise will screen against Nine’s ratings machine Married At First Sight.
Million Dollar Island is a new TV concept in which 100 people try to stay on a remote desert island, vying for a chance to win $1 million. But surviving the harsh conditions with limited means isn’t the only challenge.
Described as a “revolutionary new social experiment”, this series will be produced for the Australian market by award-winning Eureka Productions, the maker of some of the world’s biggest entertainment shows, including Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife.
Each contestant starts the adventure with a bracelet worth $10,000. While they are on the island, contestants can gain and lose bracelets by competing in various games.
They can also receive bracelets from other contestants. When someone gives up and decides to leave the island, they must give their bracelet(s) to a contestant who stays behind.
Alliances mean everything. Friendships are worth a fortune. Some contestants will become richer by winning games and inheriting bracelets, while those who lose and fail to collect new bracelets must eventually go home.
By the last day, only a few contestants are left on the island. In a thrilling finale, they will each get their chance to cash in their bracelets during an exciting test of nerves. However, they can also lose everything at the last minute.
The Million Dollar Island format was co-developed by John de Mol, the creative genius behind Big Brother and The Voice, together with Wim van Dam and Jourik van der Vorst.
It launched in the Netherlands in early March, produced by Mr De Mol’s Talpa, and has scored impressive ratings.
Studio Lambert, whose credits includes Gogglebox and The Circle, is producing US and UK editions of Million Dollar Island. NBC has commissioned the series for the US market. The show has also been sold to the Middle East.
Seven’s Chief Content Officer, Entertainment Programming, Angus Ross, stated earlier this year:
““Ant is the perfect choice to host Million Dollar Island. He is smart, tough and a brilliant strategist, qualities that will be invaluable as he immerses himself in the game play in what promises to be the most engaging and fascinating new series Australia has seen in a long time.”
John de Mol has developed some of the most original, successful and impactful formats in television history. The game play, strategy, emotion and drama – set in a beautiful, remote location – will make Million Dollar Island one of the must-watch TV shows of 2023.”
