Channel Seven releases a dramatic trailer for its new Hunger Games-style reality show Million Dollar Island – in which a woman grabs an ‘essential’ machete to survive on the show
Channel Seven is preparing to broadcast one of the most anticipated reality shows ever to Australia.
Last year, the network announced that it had acquired the rights to an Australian version of the popular European TV franchise Million Dollar Island after a fierce bidding war.
It has been commissioned for later this year, but a release date has not yet been announced.
In the meantime, Seven is trying to build hype around the new series and released a dramatic extended trailer on Monday.
The teaser begins with speedboats whizzing contestants to a remote island as the words “Here…society rules don’t exist” appear across the screen.
Channel 7 is gearing up to broadcast one of the most anticipated reality shows to come to Australia
More than 100 contestants are then seen running on a beach as they rush to grab essentials in a Hunger Games style, with one woman saying she “needs a machete.”
In what is arguably the largest number of contestants ever to appear on an Australian reality show, viewers are then introduced to some of the characters.
They include ‘The Farm Girl’, ‘The Garbo’, ‘The Carpenter’, ‘The Nurse’, ‘The Mum’ and ‘The Real Estate Agent’.
Created by the team behind Wife Swap and Big Brother, Million Dollar Island sees 100 contestants compete for $1 million in a survival game set on a remote island.
SAS Australia star and the show’s new host, Ant Middleton, 42, said the concept will be must-see television.
Last year, the network announced that it had won the rights to an Australian version of the hit TV franchise Million Dollar Island after a fierce bidding war.
“Think The Hunger Games and Lost come together…but not so brutally,” the former British Special Forces soldier said in a statement.
“This is a high stakes challenge for ordinary, everyday Aussies. Literally anyone can apply. You don’t have to be the strongest or strongest person to win big.
“I can’t wait to see what the Australian participants have, how well they know themselves and how far they will go to change their lives.”
Contestants must learn to survive on the deserted island as they compete for 100 wristbands that will ultimately be worth $1 million.
It has been commissioned for later this year, but a release date has not yet been announced
Each participant starts the game with a wristband worth $10,000. More wristbands are won and lost in duels and challenges.
Friendships and alliances are crucial to winning, because when a contestant leaves the island, they must hand over their wristbands to a contestant who stays behind.
Seven executive Angus Ross said adventurer Ant was the perfect choice to host the franchise, which is based on a popular Dutch format.
He said: ‘[Middleton] is smart, tough and a brilliant strategist, qualities that will prove invaluable as he immerses himself in the game of what promises to be the most compelling and fascinating new series Australia has seen in a long time.”
Channel 7 is certainly trying to build hype around the new series as it released an extended trailer for the big-budget show on Monday