In a move that’s likely to prove very costly, Channel 7 has been forced to delay filming of it’s big new global format Million Dollar Island by three months after Asbestos was discovered on set.
Filming of the Ant Middleton hosted reality series on a Malaysian island had been scheduled to commence this week. However, as first revealed by TV Tonight, production company Eureka was forced to abandon preparations after potentially deadly asbestos material was discovered on set.
TV Blackbox understands the 100 contestants participating in the series were initially informed by producers flights had been delayed “due to bad weather” prior to the public reporting of the asbestos issue.
Contestants have now been advised filming is expected to take place between mid-January and February. Despite this production setback, Seven have assured TV Blackbox the network will be able to premiere this big-budget series in 2023 as planned.
The first quarter of the ratings year has proven to be a consistent problem for Channel 7 since the decline of the once-dominant My Kitchen Rules and the loss of Australian Open Tennis broadcast rights.
In a statement provided earlier this week, 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.”
Channel 7 will reveal details of its 2023 programming line-up at an Upfront presentation on October 25.
The costly production delay for Channel 7’s edition of Million Dollar Island comes after US network NBC made the decision to axe its version of the format before cameras had even started rolling due to budget issues.
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 suspend US filming on Holey Moley in 2020 due to heavy rain. While in 2021 the network made a last-minute decision to cancel production on Australia’s Got Talent after COVID lockdowns were implemented in Sydney.
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.
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.
Described as a “revolutionary new social experiment”, this series will be produced for the Australian market by Eureka Productions, the maker of some of the world’s biggest entertainment shows, including Seven’s Farmer Wants A Wife.
It launched in the Netherlands in early March, produced by Mr De Mol’s Talpa.
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.”
