Survivor’s Countdown to Season 50: Essential Past Seasons to Stream

LOS ANGELES, CA — As Survivor gears up to celebrate its milestone 50th season, fans continue to embrace the gripping competition series that has captivated audiences for over two decades. Originally premiering in 2000, the show follows contestants, known as castaways, journeying to remote locations to compete for the title of Sole Survivor and a $1 million prize.

Each season, castaways form alliances while participating in physical and mental challenges, ultimately facing a tribal council where one player is voted out. In a unique twist, previously eliminated contestants become jury members who help determine the final winner.

Throughout its run, Survivor has garnered nearly 70 Emmy nominations and solidified host Jeff Probst‘s standing within the industry with five wins. In an April 2024 interview with PEOPLE, Probst expressed his love for the job: “I am naturally curious and I’m mostly curious about human behavior, why we do the things we do.”

As the reality competition prepares to kick off Season 48 on February 26, 2025, here’s a look at some iconic seasons that stand out among the rest, each encapsulating the essence of outwitting, outlasting, and outplaying.

Season 1, Survivor: Borneo, set the stage by introducing 16 castaways battling their way through this unprecedented social experiment. The season’s first immunity challenge, which involved contestants eating live bugs, highlighted the series’ departure from traditional reality programming and showcased strategic gameplay, ultimately leading Richard Hatch to victory.

The second installment, Survivor: Australian Outback, took place in a unique desert environment and elevated the stakes with greater strategic maneuvers. Colby Donaldson emerged as a fan-favorite character after finishing as runner-up.

In Survivor: Amazon, the show’s evolution continued as contestants faced unexpected voting outcomes. This season was notable for dividing tribes by gender and introduced fan-favorite Rob Cesternino, whose strategic prowess left a lasting impression.

Survivor: Pearl Islands introduced unforgettable characters such as Johnny Fairplay, who famously concocted schemes that would earn his place in Survivor lore. The season’s pirate theme added a unique twist to the gameplay.

Returning players took the spotlight in Survivor: All-Stars, which concluded with a historic proposal by Rob Mariano to Amber Brkich during the finale, forever changing the narrative of reality television romance.

Survivor: China highlighted the integration of cultural elements into gameplay, with players facing unusually high stakes and memorable moments such as Todd Herzog’s unorthodox strategy that earned him the top prize.

Fast-forward to Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains, where fan-favorites clashed in thrilling competition, leaving viewers amazed by the level of gameplay. This season set the stage for the ultimate showdowns that defined the series’ legacy.

With the upcoming Season 48 featuring 18 new contestants on the picturesque Mamanuca Islands in Fiji, Survivor continues to thrive as one of reality television’s most engaging series. The two-hour premiere will air live on CBS at 8:00 p.m. EST and will be available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.

As fans prepare for another season filled with interpersonal drama and fierce competition, they can also catch up on previous seasons and relive the exhilarating moments that have defined the series.