Love Island UK in Mallorca: a case study in international production

Few television formats have the reach and global impact of Love Island UK. The reality show, a ratings leader in the UK and followed by millions of viewers worldwide, has found in Mallorca not only a stunning Mediterranean backdrop, but also the infrastructure and teams required to make such a complex production possible.

For nearly a decade, the show has returned to the island season after season. Mallorca offers a unique combination of Mediterranean landscapes, stable climate and excellent air connections, making it easy to bring in large crews and talent. What sustains this format year after year, however, is the ability to build an operational machine that runs with precisión; from the earliest stages of set build to the final de-rigging, with weeks of continuous filming in between.

The process begins long before the cameras start rolling. In pre-production, the Spanish crew  are brought together and contracts are secured with hotels to accommodate the nearly 300 UK professionals who travel to the island.

From April to May, the focus is on construction: a basecamp is built to operate as a small city, with more than 100 portacabins housing editing rooms, production and executive offices, along with toilet trailers and a catering service running 24 hours a day. At the same time, the villa is prepared, with local teams supporting the art department and overseeing the smooth running of all services.

Once filming begins, the production runs non-stop, 24/7, for eight weeks. Location, production and transport teams work in close coordination with their UK counterparts, meeting daily needs and adapting quickly to the last-minute changes that are inevitable in a live show.

When the cameras are switched off, de-rigging begins. The process takes about a month and involves removing the basecamp and part of the sets, ensuring that all exterior areas are returned to their original condition.

In total, the project requires around seven months of work each year, mobilising more than 50 local professionals alongside numerous specialised suppliers.

Love Island UK in Mallorca is a clear example of how a global television format can thrive thanks to precise planning, robust infrastructure and strong collaboration with local talent. Behind every episode lies months of unseen work, enabling millions of viewers to enjoy one of the UK’s most iconic reality shows each summer.