Survivor reached a television milestone Wednesday night with the premiere of its 50th season — a landmark moment few reality shows have achieved.
The three-hour debut of “Survivor 50” aired at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, launching what producers have dubbed a fan-powered installment titled “In the Hands of the Fans.” The season features 24 returning players drawn from the show’s first 49 seasons, all competing once again for the $1 million grand prize.
Longtime host Jeff Probst returns to guide the milestone season, which has been in the making for years. Anticipation intensified in 2025 when viewers were invited to vote on key elements of the game before filming began, including whether hidden immunity idols would be in play and whether the controversial final four fire-making challenge would return.
The cast blends early-era icons with recent standouts. Among the returning players are Jenna Lewis-Dougherty from the original 2000 season in Borneo, Colby Donaldson of The Australian Outback, and Cirie Fields, a four-time competitor. Fan favorites such as Ozzy Lusth, Stephenie Lagrossa Kendrick and Benjamin “Coach” Wade are also back, alongside newer players like Season 45 winner Dee Valladares and Season 49 winner Savannah Louie.
CBS has also announced special appearances throughout the season from singer Zac Brown and YouTube personality MrBeast, with Billie Eilish and Jimmy Fallon set to be incorporated in unique ways.
In a first for the franchise, the show has extended its competitive spirit beyond the island. A nationwide scavenger hunt dubbed the “Survivor 50 Challenge” has placed 50 hidden immunity idols across all 50 states, giving fans a chance to win prizes. The challenge launched Jan. 30 and remains ongoing.
New episodes of Survivor will air weekly on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. Episodes are available live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium subscribers, with next-day streaming offered on all Paramount+ plans.
Source: USA Today