Love Island 2023's launch pulls in mere 1.2million viewers

Love Island 2023's launch show pulled in an average of just over 1million TV viewers as new host Maya Jama made her debut and a new host of singletons stepped out.

The first episode of the winter series saw an average of 1.2million viewers watch the latest batch of Islanders enter the South African villa, overnight figures showed.

It was a staggering 1.2million down from 2022's summer debut episode, which saw an average of 2.4million TV viewers tune in at the time.

This year's premiere, which aired on Monday night, only raked in a peak TV audience of 2million across the 95-minute show, according to overnight figures.

But across all devices, including mobiles and tablets, the 2023 debut episode was streamed a total of 2.5million times, according to figures from ITV.

The launch show was also the third watched programme on Monday overall and the second most watched show on ITV across the day.

However, its initial overnight figures were far below that of the 2022 summer series, which pulled in an average of 2.4million viewers at the time.

It then rose to more than 3million viewers with overnight ITV Hub viewing on non-TV devices (PC, mobile and tablet) included.

Meanwhile, 2021's launch show raked in 2.47million TV viewers and peaked with 2.9million.

Series nine's debut episode also didn't prove as popular as the first ever winter version of the ITV2 dating show, which scored 1.3million viewers more. 

The 2020 winter series debut secured 2.5million viewers, with 43 per cent of the audience being aged between 16 and 34, according to overnight figures at the time. This rose to 2.8 million when non-TV devices were included in the figures.

Despite securing less viewers than recent years, the 2023 premiere was the biggest 16-34 audience on a digital channel this year and was the most watched programme on ITVX so far this year.

It also saw ITV2's biggest audience tune in since last year's Love Island Reunion and was the biggest commercial 16-34 audience since the World Cup. 

The 2023 launch episode saw a whole new cast of singletons arrive at the South African villa ready to find love and a surprise bombshell entrance.

As Maya Jama also made her hosting debut, five glamorous new couples were revealed in the villa.

Lana and Ron have already been tipped to be the new 'power couple' on the show, and have emerged as the bookies favourites to win.

Meanwhile, Kai, 24, was also mocked by viewers for using the term 'wifey for lifey' before switching between three single ladies during the first coupling of the series. 

The semi-pro rugby claimed to Maya that he has entered the South African villa on the hunt for the real deal, but fans of the show were quick to call him out for using the 'cringeworthy' slogan. 

After Ron and Lana were paired up during Love Island's opening episode, the villa was later stunned after a new bombshell was introduced at the end of the first episode.

Islanders were visibly confused when Maya strutted through the villa, ready to announce a new addition to the house. But confusion quickly turned to shock as semi-pro footballer Tom Clare walked through the villa doors.

The ITV2 show announced last Thursday that for the first time ever they were giving the public the chance to choose the first male or female bombshell to enter the Villa.

The public had the chance to choose between Ellie Spencer, 25, a Business Development Executive at a law firm from Norwich and Tom Clare, 23, a semi-pro footballer from Barnsley. Since Tom entered the villa, Ellie will now be introduced at a later date.

Contestants had only just coupled up by the time Tom made his entrance - clearly shaking things up. 

Just one day after the dramatic twist, Ron and Lana have already won over viewers with their chemistry, and according to Betfair are odds-on to be crowned champions. 

Having had odds of 20/1 to be crowned winner before Monday's launch show, after the episode Ron is the 11/5 new favourite.

Close behind in second place is Kai Fagan with 7/2, followed by Haris Namani with 4/1, Shaq Muhammad at 9/2, and in fifth place is Will Young with 5/1/

Meanwhile Lana is the 13/5 frontrunner to be the female victor, while Anna-May Robey is in second place with odds of 11/4.

In third place is Olivia Hawkins with 7/2, while Tanyel Revan places fourth with 9/2, and in fifth place is Tanya Manhenga with 9/2.

Love Island continues on ITV2, Tuesday January 17 at 9:00pm.