As Survivor gears up for its milestone 50th season, set to premiere on February 25, 2025, executive producer Matt Van Wagenen has shared an optimistic vision for the long-running reality competition series, likening its endurance to that of the NFL and expressing no plans for an end anytime soon.
Van Wagenen, speaking to Entertainment Weekly in an interview published on February 3, 2025, emphasized his personal stake in the show's future. "I am hoping this show lasts long enough for my daughter to be on the Dream Team [that tests out all the challenges] and she's 8. You have to be 21," he said, adding with a tease, "Maybe for her, we'll make an exception and go 20." This lighthearted comment underscores the producer's deep investment in Survivor's longevity, a series that has captivated audiences since its debut in 2000.
The upcoming season, titled Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans, promises to bring back fan-favorite contestants from across the show's history, blending nostalgia with fresh challenges. Hosted by the iconic Jeff Probst, who has been at the helm since the beginning, the season will air on CBS, continuing the format that has made Survivor a staple of American television. With a $1 million prize at stake, viewers can expect the classic elements of outwitting, outplaying, and outlasting opponents in remote locations, though specifics on the filming site remain under wraps as per standard production protocols.
Van Wagenen was unequivocal about his desire for the show to continue indefinitely. "I do not want it to end," he told Entertainment Weekly. "I don't even talk about an end of Survivor. It's like, when is the NFL going to end? It's become something different. So I don't envision an end." This perspective reflects the evolution of Survivor from a groundbreaking reality experiment into a cultural institution, having influenced countless other competition formats over its 24-year run.
Central to the show's staying power, according to Van Wagenen, is the unwavering passion of its host. "I know he loves it the way he talks about it," Van Wagenen said of Probst. "We work together closely and I see his passion and his love for it. So I don't see that dying anytime soon. He always is able to find something new and interesting, and that sparks him." Probst, an Emmy-winning host, has been instrumental in keeping the series innovative, from introducing new twists like fire-making challenges to adapting to global events like the COVID-19 pandemic, which delayed seasons in 2020.
Season 50 introduces a bold twist with celebrity cameos from high-profile fans, including singer Billie Eilish, late-night host Jimmy Fallon, and YouTuber MrBeast. These appearances aim to inject unpredictability into the game, as explained by Probst in a recent Variety interview. "We knew some of Survivor's biggest fans happen to be celebrities," Probst said, "so we thought sprinkling a few of them in with their own unique twists felt like a fun way to make the game even more unpredictable!"
Probst acknowledged potential fan concerns about such additions diluting the core experience. "I think it's a legitimate concern when you start adding layers like celebrities, that they can overshadow the game and take it off course," he told Variety last month. However, he stressed the production team's commitment to the show's essence. "Our job was to make sure that we stayed true to what we're doing on Survivor, which is exploring this continuous social experiment. And now we're adding another layer." This approach builds on previous seasons' experiments, such as the 'New Era' format starting in season 41, which shortened episodes and introduced shot-in-the-dark advantages.
The inclusion of celebrities aligns with Survivor's history of evolving to stay relevant. Over 50 seasons, the show has filmed in 20 countries, from the Australian outback to Fiji's Mamanuca Islands, where recent seasons have been primarily shot. More than 700 contestants have competed, with winners like Parvati Shallow and Tony Vlachos returning as 'legends' in past all-stars editions. Season 50's fan-voted cast selection adds a meta-layer, allowing viewers to influence the lineup through CBS's interactive promotions.
While Van Wagenen and Probst project confidence, the reality TV landscape is competitive, with streaming services and networks vying for eyeballs. Survivor's consistent ratings—averaging around 6 million viewers per episode in recent seasons—bolster its position, but executives are mindful of audience fatigue. According to Nielsen data, the series remains CBS's top unscripted program, though viewership has dipped from its peak of over 50 million for the 2000 finale.
Beyond Survivor, February 2025 marks a bustling month for television premieres, signaling a robust year for entertainment. On Bravo, Below Deck Down Under returns February 2, with Captain Jason Chambers steering the superyacht Katina alongside returning crew members like Chef Ben Robinson, Chief Stew Daisy Kelliher, and Second Officer João Franco. New additions include stews Joe Caron and Jenna Woudberg, deck/stew Mike Durrant, and deckhands Eddy Hounsell and Betul Yazici, promising drama on the high seas.
Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer season four debuts February 5, adapting Michael Connelly's novel The Law of Innocence. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo reprises his role as Mickey Haller, who must prove his innocence in a murder case tied to a former client's scam, clashing with the DA's office and FBI while confronting personal demons.
Peacock's The 'Burbs, inspired by the 1989 film, premieres February 8, following a young couple in suburbia whose quiet life unravels with a suspicious new neighbor, unearthing secrets and threats in their cul-de-sac.
Hulu's The Artful Dodger season two arrives February 10, thrusting Jack Dawkins into peril with a noose, a pursuing Inspector Boxer, and romantic entanglements with Lady Belle, who pursues medicine amid heists and a killer on the loose in Port Victory.
Animated favorites return mid-month: Family Guy for its 24th season on Fox February 15, and American Dad marking its 20th season on February 22. Apple TV+ offers The Last Thing He Told Me season two on February 20, where Jennifer Garner's Hannah and Angourie Rice's Bailey navigate family reunion challenges with Nikolaj Coster-Waldau's Owen after his five-year disappearance.
Prime Video's The CEO Club docu-series launches February 23, profiling powerhouses like Serena Williams, Thalia, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Loren Ridinger, Winnie Harlow, Hannah Bronfman, and Isabela Rangel Grutman in their entrepreneurial journeys.
ABC revives Scrubs on February 25, coinciding with Survivor's premiere, bringing back Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke to Sacred Heart Hospital for comedic medical mishaps.
As the month closes, Apple TV+'s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two on February 27 delves into Titan threats on Kong's Skull Island and a mysterious village, blurring lines between family and foes amid global stakes.
Looking further ahead, March brings Ted season two on Peacock March 5, Outlander's eighth and final chapter on Starz March 6, and Amazon's Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat March 20, shifting to a hot sauce company outing with new cast member Anthony. The Bachelorette season 22 on ABC March 22 features Taylor Frankie Paul from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives seeking love.
April highlights include HBO's Euphoria season three on April 12, with a five-year time jump exploring Zendaya, Jacob Elordi, and Sydney Sweeney's characters post-high school—Sweeney teased to E! News in October 2025, "Dildos." Apple TV+ counters with Your Friends & Neighbors season two April 3, starring Jon Hamm as a suburban thief, and Margo’s Got Money Troubles April 15, following Elle Fanning's aspiring writer navigating motherhood and finances with Michelle Pfeiffer and Nick Offerman.
Summer and beyond promise more: Prime Video's Elle July 1, a Legally Blonde prequel with Lexi Minetree as young Elle Woods, endorsed by Reese Witherspoon as a tale of kindness and self-belief. HGTV's Bachelor Mansion Takeover in 2026 reunites franchise alumni for a renovation competition hosted by Jesse Palmer.
Other 2026 entries include a Sucession-style drama on British TV rivalry, Prime Video's Young Sherlock directed by Guy Ritchie, and Netflix's Hollywood Arts, a Victorious spinoff with Daniella Monet as Trina Vega teaching at her alma mater.
In this crowded field, Survivor's 50th season stands as a testament to resilience, with producers eyeing even more innovations. As Van Wagenen put it, the passion fueling the show ensures it will outlast expectations, much like the contestants who vie for survival on the island.