Confirmed: Disney Is the New Home of ‘Love Island,’ ITV Hails “Mutually Beneficial Relationship”
In an unexpected turn of events in the streaming sphere, audiences will soon be able to watch Love Island on Disney+.
Disney’s streaming journey hasn’t exactly run smoothly. After launching in November 2019 with 10 million sign‑ups on day one, Disney+ hit headwinds as its subscriber count started to shrink in late 2024.
To reverse course, Disney rolled out an ad‑supported tier (now used by about 30 % of users worldwide) and raised prices on ad‑free plans. It also tightened integration of other content via the likes of ESPN and Hulu, as well as adding live‑sports rights, axing old content, and clamping down on password sharing.
Its latest move has seen it forge a partnership with British broadcaster ITV.
Disney Strikes Deal With ITV (Including ‘Love Island’)
Disney+ UK will soon begin streaming episodes of Love Island – yes, really.
As part of a new content-sharing deal between Disney and ITV, the streaming giant will feature a selection of British hits, including Love Island: All Stars, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, and A Spy Among Friends, at no additional cost to subscribers.
Notably, this is the British version of Love Island. While the U.S. boasts its own version of the reality series – in which single islanders compete for love while both the contestants and the audience routinely vote other couples off the show – the British is the original iteration.
In return, ITVX will begin offering the first seasons of several major Disney titles. Audiences in the UK will be able to stream The Bear, Andor, Only Murders in the Building, and The Kardashians for free later this month as part of ITV’s expanding on-demand catalog.
The arrangement, described as a “Taste of ITVX” and a “Taste of Disney+,” allows each platform to retain control over ad sales for the shows they’ve agreed to share. It’s the first agreement of its kind between a UK broadcaster and a U.S. streaming service.
ITV’s managing director of media and entertainment, Kevin Lygo, called the alliance a “mutually beneficial relationship” and said the partnership will help both companies reach new audiences. The collaboration reflects a growing trend in the global streaming landscape, as platforms find new ways to broaden reach without building everything in-house.
How do you feel about Love Island joining Disney+?
