Survivor is celebrating its 50th season next year. The series is thanking fans for 25 years of support by bringing them in on the action. During a February 2025 fan event, host Jeff Probst told fans they are honoring the milestone by letting viewers control the game. Fans will be given the chance to vote on key elements of the upcoming season. Curious to know more? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Survivor 50 voting.
Jeff says Survivor 50 is “in the hands of the fans”
In February, Jeff teased that the theme for Survivor 50 is “In the Hands of the Fans,” meaning that for the first time, viewers will have a say over major game decisions.
“Producers will not be in charge of the game design, you will,” he said. “Throughout [Survivor] 48, at various points, you’re going to vote on key elements on the game … You’re gonna design the game that the players are gonna play.”
The host revealed that the Survivor 50 players will not know the outcome of the votes until they are on the island. In previous seasons, players arrived with a general sense of what to expect on the island. But Survivor 50 is testing players’ adaptability by withholding information about the game elements fans decide on.
Jeff spoke about his decision to include fans in a February interview with TV Insider, telling the outlet he wanted to show his gratitude.
“The idea for ‘In the Hands of the Fans’ was an idea I had just sitting at home, thinking about [Survivor] 50, and honestly, thinking it should be a thank you to our fans,” he said. “We’re on the air because people have been so loyal.”
How Survivor Season 50 voting works on CBS
Survivor 50 voting began after the premiere episode of Survivor 48. After the February 26 episode, fans were instructed to head to survivor50cbs.votenow.tv to cast their first vote for Survivor 50. The first round of voting allowed fans to vote on tribe colors, whether or not to give the castaways rice, the continuation or dismantling of the final four fire-making competitions, and whether or not to have a live reunion in Los Angeles.
After that, the voting continued on a weekly bias. Each week, fans will be given new options to vote on. To vote, go to survivor50cbs.votenow.tv. Voting opens each Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. ET. If you miss a vote, wait until the next episode of Survivor 48 airs, which will usher in a new round of voting.
Voting will end after Survivor 48.
Jeff says season length is not up for debate
During the COVID-19 pandemic, production chose to shorten the length of a Survivor season from 39 days to 26 days. Producers chose to continue with the shorter seasons after COVID restrictions were lifted, which upset many fans who felt the change made the game too easy. In recent years, viewers have been vocal about their desire to bring back the longer season. Unfortunately for them, Jeff says that is not an option. In a February interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said the 26-day season is here to stay.
“It’s simply a production situation,” he said. “We like this game and I can tell you that even if we wanted to, we already have our leases, our land agreements with Mana Island. 39 days isn’t even an option.”
What is the Survivor 50 fan trip?
The ability to vote on game design isn’t the only exciting opportunity Survivor 50 is offering fans. The CBS show is partnering with Fiji Airways to reward five fans with a trip to the Mamanuca Islands during the filming of Survivor 50. The reward will include airfare, accommodations at a luxury resort, and a VIP tour of the Survivor Islands. To apply, interested participants need to submit a short video explaining what Survivor means to them. The video should be under a minute long and in front of a blank background.
You can apply for the Survivor 50 fan trip HERE.
Survivor is available to stream on Paramount+
TELL US – ARE YOU EXCITED FOR SURVIVOR 50? WHICH PLAYERS DO YOU WANT TO SEE RETURN?
