Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Football Island

  1. Football Island Cast Announcement

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    Megatransfer: eleven footballers sign up for a tropical adventure

    Just before the transfer window closes, eleven footballers make a last‑minute move to embark on a sporting adventure in a tropical destination. In one fell swoop, Frank de Boer, Ronald de Boer, John van ’t Schip, Richard Witschge, Kenneth Pérez, Wesley Sneijder, Ryan Babel, Mike Obiku, Kees Kwakman, Tom Beugelsdijk and Jan van Halst transfer to a brand-new team.

    Their destination: “Football Island.” Under the leadership of presenter Frank Evenblij, these stadium heroes compete in a unique competition unlike anything any footballer has ever played before. The new Videoland Original Football Island will stream weekly on Videoland starting 29 March.

    “Nobody saw this transfer coming”

    In the Dominican Republic, the former footballers exchange their luxurious lives for a back-to-basics existence. They enter a competition in which their career honours hold no value whatsoever. In football-inspired matches, the men face off in challenges that often push them far beyond their comfort zones. Relegation and promotion duels follow one another in rapid succession. Whoever loses sees their adventure come to an end and returns home without a contract.

    Sports enthusiast and presenter Frank Evenblij is visibly excited about “his” team:

    “Nobody saw this transfer coming. These are men who have experienced everything on the pitch, but here they’re starting again from scratch. They have to prove who still stands strong mentally and physically. At the same time, that dressing-room atmosphere is instantly back: lots of banter, sharp jokes and old stories. The fun and camaraderie are definitely there, but they give each other absolutely nothing for free.”

    Videoland has a true first on its hands with Football Island, as the Netherlands is the first country where this unique format will be shown. The adventure reality series consists of eight episodes and is produced by SimpelZodiak in collaboration with Southfields, both labels of Banijay Benelux. The Videoland Original Football Island will be available exclusively on Videoland from 29 March, with the first two episodes releasing on launch day.

  2. Banijay Entertainment’s Football Island Scores First Series Order from RTL

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    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. 

  3. Banijay Entertainment and SimpelZodiak Kick Off Football Island at London TV Screenings

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    Content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment today unveils Football Island, a groundbreaking format blending sports, survival and competition reality. Created by SimpelZodiak (part of Banijay Benelux), the premium title is set to be a highlight in the exclusive London TV Screenings line-up for Banijay @ BAFTA 195 Piccadilly. Football Island will be the first co-production between SimpelZodiak and Banijay Benelux label Southfields, the largest sports production company in the Netherlands.

    Making its global debut in the Netherlands, Football Island drops 13 legendary footballers in a remote tropical location, stripping them of stadiums, status and comfort. Battling the elements they fight for the basics, and victory, in high-stakes, football-inspired challenges. With friendships tested, rivalries reignited, and legacies on the line, this raw and unscripted adventure brings the beautiful game into the brutal wild. 

    Justine Huffmeijer, Managing Director at SimpelZodiak says: “Football Island is a one-of-a-kind concept bringing legendary footballers back into the heat of fierce competition. This is more than just a game – it’s also a test of strategy, and endurance. Watching football icons relive past clashes and push their unceasing competitive spirit in a high-stake survival environment is set to be a thrilling spectacle for audiences to enjoy.” 

    James Townley, Chief Content Officer, Development, Banijay Entertainment: “Football Island’ electrifying fusion of genres will appeal to sports and entertainment fans alike, offering an intense, character-driven reality format to meet the needs of our many clients around the world. With an outstanding track-record producing high-profile global formats like Survivor and Hunted, SimpelZodiak has raised the bar, pushing survival and reality to the next level, where strategy, resilience and football collide.”

    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, Special Forces and Hunted. Other credits include Good Luck Guys, Shaolin Heroes, and Banged Up.

    Additional titles within Banijay Entertainment’s format line-up for London TV Screenings include Against All Odds (Meter/Jarowskij), Mission Unknown: Atlantic (Banijay Productions Germany), The Rest of Your Life (Pineapple Entertainment), AI Love You (Nordisk Film TV) and 30 Days and 30 Dates (Cuarzo Producciones).

    This new title taps into Banijay Entertainment’s growing efforts in sport following its launch of Banijay Sports.