Actually Start?
If you’re scratching your head over the start date of Love Island: All Stars Season 3, you’re not alone. Between wildfire delays, broadcast shifts, and multi-platform releases, the schedule’s looked more like a maze than a calendar. Here’s the saga—warts and all.
The Original Plan—and the Wildfire Curveball
Initially, Season 3 was slated to premiere mid-January. According to Wikipedia, the UK launch was scheduled for 12 January 2026 on ITV2 and ITVX . That aligns with reports from Capital, which cited the same date and time—9 pm .
But then came the wildfires. Filming in Franschhoek, South Africa, was halted amid evacuation orders and safety assessments . Both ITV and Peacock pushed the launch amid concerns, stating health and safety were top priority .
UK Premiere—Air Date Finally Locked
After days of uncertainty, Capital and Forbes confirmed a new launch: the UK premiere aired on Thursday, 15 January 2026, at 9 pm on ITV2 and ITVX . There was even a bonus episode slapped on the weekend, with an extra full episode on Saturday 17 January at 9 pm .
US Rollout—Peacock Picks Up the Pace
Stateside, Peacock confirmed that episodes would begin streaming Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET—two days after the UK broadcast . The platform emphasized exclusivity, noting that Love Island: All Stars wouldn’t be available via any other U.S. outlet .
Quick Recap: Start Date Timeline
- UK (ITV2 & ITVX): Originally planned for 12 Jan, delayed to 15 January 2026 at 9 pm
- Bonus UK episode: Also aired Saturday, 17 January 2026 at 9 pm
- US (Peacock): Premiere on Saturday, 17 January 2026 at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET (two-day delay)
Why This Matters—and What It Tells Us
Safety First, Always
The wildfire delay wasn’t just a scheduling hiccup—it highlighted how reality TV production leans heavily on safety assessments. Evacuations in the Western Cape led to the decision to postpone the launch. It’s a reminder that despite polished promos, reality TV shoots happen in real environments prone to risk .
Strategy in Streaming Windows
Peacock’s two-day delay after the UK premiere reflects a carefully calculated release cadence—balancing spoiler control, buzz building, and cross-market viewer flow. It’s a common tactic for global streaming strategy, allowing hype to bubble between territories .
Bonus Episode Boost
Dropping an extra episode on the weekend isn’t just filler—it’s smart programming. It boosts mid-season engagement, sparks watercooler chatter, and keeps viewers hooked after launch. Given that this is the longest running installment yet (six weeks long compared to earlier five-week runs) , the extra episode helps sustain momentum.
What to Know Now
If you’re tuning in from the U.S., mark your calendar for Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 9 pm ET. If you’re in the UK, your cue was Thursday, 15 January 2026, at 9 pm on ITV2/ITVX.
Bonus episode? Yep—Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 9 pm in the UK too.
“Health and safety is our greatest priority and will always come first,” ITV reminded fans—turning a wildfire scare into a demonstration of responsible broadcasting.
Conclusion
Here’s the bottom line: Love Island: All Stars Season 3 was delayed by wildfires, but finally kicked off on 15 January 2026 in the UK. In the U.S., Peacock viewers started their journey on 17 January 2026. With staggered timings, bonus episodes, and a global rollout in play, the launch has been anything but typical—but undoubtedly memorable.
FAQs
When did Love Island: All Stars Season 3 start in the UK?
It premiered on Thursday, 15 January 2026, at 9 pm on ITV2 and ITVX after being postponed from the original early January date due to wildfire risks in South Africa .
What’s the U.S. premiere date on Peacock?
Episodes began streaming Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 6 pm PT / 9 pm ET, two days after the UK broadcast .
Why was the show delayed?
Production and broadcast were pushed back following wildfires near the filming villa in Franschhoek, South Africa, leading to evacuation and safety-based cancellation of the original launch date .
Was there an extra episode?
Yes. ITV added a bonus full episode in the UK airing on Saturday, 17 January 2026, at 9 pm to help sustain viewer interest and enrich launch weekend programming .
How long is Season 3 running?
Season 3 is the longest installment of Love Island: All Stars to date, extending six weeks compared to the five-week format of earlier seasons .
Can international viewers watch outside UK or US?
Yes—All Stars is available internationally via platforms like ITVX (UK), 9Now (Australia), TVNZ+ (New Zealand), and Peacock (United States), subject to regional availability .
