Heineken Sponsors La Isla de la Tentación @ Telemundo.

An all-new Spanish-language version of Fox Broadcasting Company’s hit reality show “Temptation Island” will air in the U.S. on the Telemundo television network, and Heineken USA has inked a deal to become the first sponsor of the groundbreaking program.

“La Isla de la Tentación” has currently begun taping in Thailand and will air in 12 episodes, in Spanish, on Telemundo, the nation’s fastest growing Spanish-language television network. In addition to commercial spots that will air during each show (two :30 spots per episode), Heineken’s sponsorship of the project also includes product placement within episodes of the series. Show participants will be provided with Heineken-branded items such as beach towels and beach balls, and hats and t-shirts they can wear during taping. Also, the bar in the pool area of the Temptation Island set will serve Heineken bottles and Heineken keg cans.

“There’s no question that reality shows such as ‘Temptation Island’ are some of the most-watched programs on TV, and Heineken couldn’t be more excited to be a part of it. What could be more ‘real’ on a reality show than people relaxing at the beach enjoying a Heineken!” says Marime Riancho, Heineken Brand Manger, Hispanic Markets, at Heineken USA. “Heineken has a long and proud history of involvement with events and projects that are relevant to Hispanic consumers, and the opportunity to be a part of ‘La Isla de la Tentación’ is a perfect fit.”

Fox Television Studios, which has produced several local versions of “Temptation Island” for other markets around the world (including the UK, Australia, France, Holland, Sweden, Denmark and Brazil) through its Fox World international production and format unit, will produce the Spanish-language version for Telemundo. This marks the first time that a major U.S. alternative hit was successfully exported around the world, only to return back to the U.S. market in a new Hispanic adaptation.

“In keeping with Telemundo’s programming tradition of bringing the Hispanic marketplace high quality shows that are ‘young, fresh & different’ we are very excited to offer Heineken a proven hit show in ‘Temptation Island.’ Last year Telemundo was the first Hispanic network to launch a show within the reality genre with ‘Protagonistas de Novela’ and the audience feedback was phenomenal. This year we are partnering with Fox World to bring the Hispanic marketplace a proven hit and format that will make Telemundo the place to be on Saturday night. The partnership among Fox World, Telemundo, and Heineken is another example of how Telemundo offers client focused ideas that are in sync with our sponsors marketing needs,” says Steve Mandala, Telemundo’s Executive Vice President of Sales.

“Heineken and Telemundo have the vision to see how both sponsorship and product integration can successfully break new ground for the Latino community and television in general,” adds HP Media’s President Rolfe Auerbach, which handled product integration on behalf of Fox World. “The opportunity to bring diverse producers, networks and advertisers together in the creative process is enormous. Everyone, including the viewers, stands to gain as programs in new environments for new markets are created.”

Like its successful predecessor, “La Isla de la Tentación” is an unscripted dramatic series in which unmarried couples travel to an exotic locale to test and explore the strength of their relationships. Once at the location, the couples are introduced to eligible singles and then separated from their partners until the final day of their stay. Over this period, they will each get the opportunity to answer questions about themselves and their current relationship. It’s here where they will find out if what they think they want is really what they’re looking for.