Red Arrow Studios International has closed an early deal with the Seven Network in Australia for its new hit format Stranded on Honeymoon Island, just six weeks after launching the show to the international marketplace at London Screenings.

Endemol Shine Australia is confirmed to produce the innovative new adventure dating format, in which couples matched by experts are marooned on a deserted island and left to fend for themselves for three weeks.

Commissions with broadcasters in other key territories will be announced soon.

Both Married at First Sight and Stranded on Honeymoon Island were created by Snowman Productions. The Copenhagen-based production company – part of Seven.One Studios and a sister company to Red Arrow Studios International – will set up and manage a production hub in southeast Asia to facilitate the year-round filming of new local versions of Stranded on Honeymoon Island.

Initially commissioned by Belgium’s VTM, Stranded on Honeymoon Island made its successful on-air debut last month (March). The premiere posted a market share of 46% in the main target demo 18-54 and an even more impressive 51% market share in the 15-34 demo: doubling the broadcaster’s average market share that month. Subsequent episodes have continued to grow both audience and market share.

Tim Gerhartz, President & Managing Director at Red Arrow Studios International, said: “Stranded on Honeymoon Island is really creating a sensation among broadcasters around the world, and we are absolutely delighted that Seven has snapped up the show for Australia, so soon after its successful launch in Belgium. After years of increasingly dramatic reality shows, we have seen a growing demand for more authenticity – and Stranded on Honeymoon Island truly captures the zeitgeist, delivering a heady combination of real-life experience packaged with the gloss of exotic escapism. The format brings together two reality subgenres – dating and adventure – to create a truly unique, fast-track relationship experience and we are looking forward to seeing it roll out around the world.”

Seven’s Chief Content Officer, Entertainment Programming, Angus Ross, added: “There’s a good reason broadcasters around the world have fallen in love with Stranded on Honeymoon Island and Seven is thrilled to bring this hot new series to Australian audiences.”

Snowman Productions and Endemol Shine Australia’s track record of success speaks for itself, and now they’re taking the reality dating genre to a whole new addictive level, blending fledgling love with the adventure of a lifetime. We have no doubt viewers will lap up every minute of this bold and exciting new format.”