This week, the highly-anticipated South African spin-off of the popular reality series ‘Love Island’ made its debut on M-Net. However, what was supposed to be an exciting moment for the local entertainment brand was marred by a variety of sound and editing issues as well as an outcry from the South African public regarding the lack of diversity on the show.
On Sunday evening, ten sexy singles entered the luxurious Cape Town villa and while two new singles have entered the villa since the show’s debut, viewers were dissatisfied with the lack of diversity in the original casting.
The series has also been plagued by a series of sound and editing issues which has left a sour taste in the mouth of viewers who were expecting world-class quality for a series that has become so popular around the world.
Now, M-Net has responded to criticism issuing a short statement saying “You called us out on the lack of diversity and production quality in our first episode of Love Island SA. We’re sorry – we didn’t meet our usual standard on both counts. We are working tirelessly to fix things, and to deliver the Magic you deserve.”
— M-Net (@MNet) March 2, 2021
However, the apology seems to be a little too late with many vowing not to tune into further episodes of the two-month-long series. Others added that they felt M-Net’s apology was insincere. “I assure you these people aren’t sorry about the diversity part. Mnet just Mneting,” one person wrote on Twitter.
Another added “So the whole time while shooting you didn’t realize that you were lacking something in the cast? Take your audience seriously. Even when you make apologies.” A third added “brands are getting comfortable with apologizing for the same thing over and over again.”
In more bad news for the channel, the show’s headline sponsor Lotto Star has also pulled out from the series. The lottery games website issued a statement on Twitter saying “LottoStar has taken the decision to respectfully withdraw its sponsorship of Love Island SA. We wish the show and its contestants every success.”
"LottoStar has taken the decision to respectfully withdraw its sponsorship of Love Island SA. We wish the show and its contestants every success” – Director, LottoStar. #LoveIslandSA
— Lottostar (@Lotto_Star) March 2, 2021
