In 2015, Survivor gave fans the most power they had ever seen. Viewers of the veteran reality series got to choose the cast for the upcoming season, picking 20 players out of a possible 32 to appear on Season 31, Survivor: Cambodia – Second Chanceˆ. And, a decade later, the CBS show is getting fans involved in a brand-new way, as the network announced today the launch of a brand new inclusive and interactive theme that allows devotees to vote on twists, idols, advantages, and other “key elements” for the highly-anticipated returnee-filled 50th season filming later this year.
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On Feb. 22, CBS kicked off a “phenomenal year of first-ever fan-centric festivities,” culminating in the premiere of the milestone Season 50 in February 2026. A part of that is what they call “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans.” Starting at 9:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Feb. 26, during the premiere of Survivor 48, fans can visit this website and vote on, at the moment, four different elements to appear in Season 50. Multiple rounds of voting will occur over the course of the indeterminate future, most likely each containing a new batch of decisions to be made.
On paper, one would think the “key elements” offered would be minute, like tribe colors or whether certain fan-favorite challenges would return. But the examples given in the press release from CBS indicate major structural elements are, for lack of a better term, “up for grabs.” Fans can choose between “Idols or No Idols,” electing whether or not the season should remove the game-changing totems from the fray. Another decision, “Final Four Fire Making: Keep It or Lose It,” puts the change-up in the game’s penultimate round in the quite literal line of fire. And “Live Finale and Reunion Show in L.A. – or Keep the Winner Reveal and Aftershow in the Jungles of Fiji” addresses whether the conclusion of the season should happen months later off-island, like it did from Seasons 2 through 40, or on-island, which became a permanent change in the show’s “new era.”
Related: Jeff Probst Announces Returning Players for Survivor Season 50
Voting on all of these elements will conclude prior to the filming of Survivor 50. Jeff Probst and company will tally the votes, and the decision will be made final. What’s interesting is, the results of the polls will be kept secret until the filming of Season 50. That means whoever makes up the cast of returning players will have some knowledge as to what they could possibly be experiencing out on the island. But they won’t know exactly what they’ll be facing until they’re standing on the beaches of Fiji, awaiting what curveball the fans threw at them next.
Courtesy of CBS
“From the very first season, Survivor has been evolving. Now, for our 50th season, it’s time for the next evolution,” said host, showrunner and executive producer Probst. “‘SURVIVOR 50: In the Hands of the Fans’ is unlike anything we’ve done before. For the first time ever, our loyal fans will take control – deciding key elements of the game, from twists to idols to advantages. I can’t wait to see what the fans choose for our returning players!”
In addition to fans getting to impact Survivor 50 majorly, a lucky few might get to see how their decisions will play out. CBS and Fiji Airways are partnering, alliance-style to award five “tribes” of friends, family members, or loved ones, a trip out to the show’s set in Fiji (where Survivor has set up permanent residence since Season 33 in 2016). Between Feb. 22 and Mar. 30, fans can go to this link and send in a one-minute video on behalf of their “tribe,” outlining why they love Survivor and how the show has changed their life. According to the press release, “CBS will determine the five winning ‘tribes’ based on the passion, inspiration and storytelling of the applicants.”
Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 48
The winning groups will then get a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Fiji. They’ll travel to the islands in style, in a Survivor 50-branded jet in partnership with the airline. They’ll stay for four nights at a luxurious oceanfront resort, where they’ll get to experience the rich Fijian culture while also exploring local destinations.
The true cherry on top, however, is a “VIP tour” of the islands where Survivor is filmed. The fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at various locations, including challenge sites and Tribal Council. They’ll get a meet-and-greet with Probst, chatting it up with the four-time Emmy winner. And on top of that, they’ll have “all the fixins” in the form of Survivor swag to take back home–along with a plethora of memories.
After these two major announcements, we’ll see what other new fan elements are coming down the pike for Survivor. But, as the show celebrates its 25th anniversary in a few months, they’ve made it clear that they want to honor those who have helped keep it on the air and in the pop culture zeitgeist for a staggering quarter-century.
Related: Meet the Full Cast of ‘Survivor 48’