Love Island UK franchise sold to Saudi-backed consortium in $2B deal sparking industry shockwaves
The globally dominant reality TV franchise Love Island UK has been acquired by a Middle Eastern investment group led by a Saudi sovereign wealth fund in a landmark $2 billion transaction, according to sources close to the deal. The sale, finalized late Tuesday, hands control of the hit show's format, production rights, and global catalog to a consortium that includes PIF-linked entities, marking the largest-ever purchase of a British unscripted television asset. Industry analysts estimate the deal values the property at a revenue multiple exceeding 8x its annual earnings, with the buyers planning aggressive expansion into emerging markets and a controversial shift toward family-friendly spinoffs. The transaction immediately triggers a 15% stock surge for ITV, which retains a minority stake, while regulatory scrutiny looms over content governance standards.