Double Act’s social experiment format to be adapted by BNNVARA in the Netherlands
Virgin Island, the controversial UK social-experiment format that debuted on Channel 4 last year, has landed its first international remake.
A local version of the show - recently named best factual entertainment programme at the Broadcast Awards - has been commissioned by the Netherlands public broadcaster BNNVARA, following a deal with Passion Distribution.
The show will be produced by Concept Street in the Netherlands, with several further international versions currently in development. Details are under wraps.
The format was originally produced by Double Act for Channel 4 and delivered the broadcaster’s biggest streaming launch in its history across any genre, alongside more than 13 million views across the broadcaster’s social channels.
The series follows 12 young adult virgins who check into a unique and experimental retreat in Croatia. Once there, they partake in various workshops and one-on-one therapy sessions with the aim of dealing with their insecurities about sex.
The UK programme aimed to explore why so many young people feel uncomfortable or anxious about engaging in sexual activity.
“BNNVARA has a long tradition of making the uncomfortable discussable, especially when it comes to sexuality, intimacy and the realities young people face,” read a statement from the broadcaster.
“In a time where performance pressure, online comparison and loneliness shape how young generations relate to each other, honest conversations about connection are more necessary than ever.”
BNNVARA has already bought the UK tape following a deal with Passion, which has also sold the first season to Television New Zealand, Play Media in Flemish-speaking Belgium and SBS in Australia.
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