Content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment today confirms RTL’s Videoland has commissioned Football Island, the groundbreaking survival-sport format created by SimpelZodiak, in co-production with Southfields. The unscripted reality format from the Banijay Benelux labels will be among Banijay Entertainment’s priority titles at this year’s MIPCOM.

In this first-of-its-kind series, a group of legendary former footballers are dropped into a remote tropical location, where stadium status is stripped away and survival is the ultimate game. Faced with high-stakes, football-inspired challenges, ex-players – some once fierce rivals – must form alliances, battle the elements and prove who still has the determination to win. The mix of sporting rivalry, teamwork and resilience promises drama with universal appeal. 

This unique collaboration brings together SimpelZodiak’s mastery of factual and adventure entertainment with Southfields’ deep expertise in sports production, ensuring Football Island delivers authenticity and high-stakes drama in equal measure. 

This commission follows the show’s unveiling at London TV Screenings earlier this year, where it was introduced as a bold new development, blending sport, survival and reality. The move signals confidence in its global potential, while strengthening Banijay Entertainment’s commitment to growing its portfolio of sport-focused unscripted content.

Justine Huffmeijer, Managing Director, SimpelZodiak and Ernst Veldkamp CEO, Southfields, say: “Football Island taps into football’s universal passion and places it in a completely fresh survival setting. Watching former rivals forced to collaborate – or clash again – creates raw, emotional drama audiences everywhere can connect with. This is sportainment with real character, and we can’t wait to deliver it both to RTL and our Banijay colleagues worldwide.”  

James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, Banijay Entertainment, adds: “From unveiling its development earlier this year, to now securing a full commission with RTL’s Videoland ahead of MIPCOM, Football Island shows the strength of an idea that is both rooted locally and built to travel globally. At Banijay Entertainment, we imagine and deliver entertainment that crosses genres and platforms, and with SimpelZodiak and Southfields’ expertise, this format perfectly embodies that vision. Combining the universal language of football with the high drama of survival reality, the show is ready to connect with audiences everywhere.” 

Banijay Benelux label, SimpelZodiak, specialises in adventure reality and factual entertainment for linear and VOD platforms. The company is behind local versions of global hits including Survivor, MasterChef and Hunted. Other credits include Good Luck Guys, Your Home Made Perfect, and Ik Vertrek. 

Southfields is the largest sports production company in the Netherlands, its award-winning sports documentaries include No Guts No Glory FC Utrecht 50 Years for Videoland; All-in: Team Jumbo Visma for Amazon Prime and VTM; Young Orange Opens the Doors for Insight TV and ESPN; and Hansie for ESPN and Disney+. Southfields also produces live sports coverage across Dutch and international football, motorsport, and combat sports, including Eredivisie (men’s and women’s), Keuken Kampioen Divisie, UEFA competitions, , MotoGP, and Bellator MMA, for broadcasters such as ESPN, Ziggo Sport, Spike TV, and Talpa, as well as club channels PSV TV and Ajax TV. 

This commission underscores Banijay Entertainment’s expanding sport offering, following the launch of Banijay Sports, and reflects its commitment to delivering bold, cross-genre formats to audiences worldwide. 

Football Island joins Banijay Entertainment’s all-new slate of original and entertaining formats for MIPCOM, including Let’s Play Ball, Villa of Temptations, Foodish and Lost and Found in the Lakes.