If you’ve been refreshing your TV guide and feeling a little lost, you’re definitely not the only one. Honestly, the start of 2026 has been a total mess for reality TV schedules. Everyone's been asking what time is Love Island on tonight, and the answer isn't as straightforward as it usually is because of some pretty wild drama happening behind the scenes in South Africa.
The Official Word: What Time is Love Island on Tonight?
Right, let’s get the big question out of the way first. Love Island: All Stars is officially back on our screens tonight, Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 9:00 PM.
You can catch the action on ITV2 if you’re watching the traditional way. If you’re more of a "watch it on your laptop in bed" person, it’ll be streaming live and on-demand via ITVX. For the fans across the pond in the States, things are a little different. Peacock is the home for All Stars, but because of the recent chaos, the US premiere has been bumped to Saturday, January 17.
Why the sudden schedule change?
You might remember the show was supposed to kick off earlier this week, specifically Monday the 12th. But Mother Nature had other plans. Huge wildfires broke out near the villa in the Western Cape of South Africa. It wasn't just a "smoke in the distance" situation; it was a full-blown "evacuate the cast and crew immediately" emergency.
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ITV confirmed that they had to prioritize safety—obviously—which pushed the whole production back by three days. Maya Jama even hopped on Instagram with her hair in rollers yesterday to tell everyone that they are finally "back up and running."
A Saturday Night First for Love Island
Here is the bit that's actually kind of cool for us viewers. To make up for the lost time, ITV is doing something they almost never do. There is an extra, full-length episode scheduled for Saturday night at 9:00 PM.
Usually, Saturdays are reserved for "Unseen Bits," which is basically just an hour of the Islanders talking about their favorite snacks or weird habits. Not this time. Because we missed three days of prime villa drama, we’re getting a proper episode to catch up.
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Basically, your weekend plans are now officially sorted.
Who are we actually watching tonight?
The cast list for this All Stars season is actually stacked. It’s a mix of "I remember them!" and "Wait, didn't they already win?"
- Millie Court: The Season 7 winner.
- Jess Harding: Season 10 winner (back for round two, which is bold).
- Jack Keating: Ronan Keating’s son, who we first met in Casa Amor.
- Whitney Adebayo: The fan-favorite from Season 10.
- Tommy Bradley: A fresh face from the most recent Season 12.
It’s an interesting blend. You’ve got people like Belle Hassan (Season 5) and Charlie Frederick (Season 4) who haven't been in the villa for years, mixing with people who were literally just on our screens a few months ago.
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The Maya Jama Factor
Can we just talk about Maya for a second? She has completely made this role her own. Seeing her back in the villa tonight is basically the only thing getting some of us through January. Her "slow-mo" walk is iconic for a reason. Tonight's premiere is expected to be a long one, likely running until 10:35 PM, so make sure you’ve got your snacks ready before that 9:00 PM start time.
How to watch if you aren't at home
If you’re stuck at work or commuting when the clock strikes nine, ITVX is your best friend. It’s free (with ads), and they usually have the episode uploaded almost immediately after it finishes airing on TV.
For those using a VPN to watch from abroad, just remember that the live stream can be a bit glitchy depending on your connection. If you're in the US, honestly, just wait for the Peacock release on Saturday. Trying to avoid spoilers for 48 hours is going to be a nightmare, though.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is how to prep for tonight:
- Check the ITVX App: Ensure you’re logged in and your app is updated before 8:55 PM. There’s nothing worse than a "forced update" right when the theme tune starts.
- Clear Saturday night: Mark 9:00 PM in your calendar for that "extra" episode. It’s not the usual clip show, so you won’t want to miss it.
- Mute Keywords on X/Twitter: If you aren't watching live, mute "Love Island," "Maya Jama," and the names of your favorite contestants. The spoilers will be everywhere the second the first bombshell walks in.
Tonight is the night we finally get back to the villa. Whether you’re here for the "eggs in baskets" or just the chaotic fashion choices, 9:00 PM on ITV2 is where you need to be.