Season 48 of Survivor was released this Wednesday, starring a new cast of survivors who are placed on the Islands of Fiji, but after 25 years do people really care?
How many people watch it?
Approaching its 25th anniversary and 50th season, Survivor is still a prominent part of the CBS and paramount channels. According to Paramount Press Express, in 2024, Survivor averaged 8.4 million viewers on just streaming services alone.
The first season achieved an average of 51.7 million viewers, overshadowing recent numbers. While the current count is much lower than the original number, it still presents high views and a circulating fanbase.
With the introduction and popularization of streaming services, it has become easier to monitor and watch shows. This type of access to shows gives viewers a layer of relaxation as they can catch up at any point without needing to record episodes.
Why do the contestants apply?
The most obvious aspect of applying is the 1 million dollar prize money contestants get if they win. If not that then perhaps the enormous popularity boost one would get for just being on the show.
If not for money or fame, then for the thrill of the show, With more than 10 thousand different people applying, you’d have to be really lucky to get on the show, and even luckier to have your story heard.
The inspiration they need
Most reality TV shows broadcast similar people from similar backgrounds, but not here.
Mitch, contestant and P.E. Coach recalled, “So, growing up as a person who has a speech impediment, I remember watching Survivor: Amazon, and there was a contestant on the show who also had her own struggle. And it’s like ‘Wow. Here’s someone out here, playing Survivor, who also struggles with something!’”
Mitch saw someone else with struggles and knew at that moment that he too could compete despite any doubt he could of had from his speech impediment
Kevin, contestant and Finance Manager said, “What really got me excited about Survivor was season 13, Cook Islands, when I watched Yul Kwon, and I saw someone who looked like me, and he wasn’t just smart. He was buff and he was talented and he was strategic. And ever since then I was like, ‘I’m gonna try to get on the show, but I’m so weak and I’m so small.’ But when I saw David vs. Goliath, season 37, that’s when I said, ‘Okay, the Davids are out here. They’re surviving. Why can’t I do it?’”
Kevin was able to overcome preconceived notions of his visual strength and ethnicity. Because of the people to come before him, he gained the courage to apply and be a part of the show.
Unseen challenges
Physical appearances and abilities aren’t the only characteristics that people perceive or live with.
Eva, contestant and PhD Candidate described, “I am on the autism spectrum […] having autism does give me a lot of great strengths for the game, as well as some blatant weaknesses. Weaknesses, for sure, are social cues. I don’t know when someone’s lying to me. I’m a very direct person and I expect others to be direct with me, and they’re not going to be in this game.”
Knowing this weakness, Eva still manages to tell her tribemate Joe, contestant and Fire Captain. Aware that people are going to lie and she won’t be able to tell, she still puts that trust in someone, demonstrating her strength.
Can they inspire us?
Knowing what the contestants have done and why they applied can give us reason too. Understanding their personal challenges as well as their own inspirations could be the catalyst for any one of us.
Junior Elizabeth Paddock concluded, “I think it definitely can inspire people, especially people that like, aren’t usually included in things like that. Like reality TV where everyone thinks you just have to look perfect and stuff, and then it actually shows a glimpse of the real world”
Agreeing with this, Senior Alex Toth added, “I would say yes because on a lot of reality TV shows you don’t see a lot of handicapped or neurodivergent people on them, and like Liz said it’s usually people like The Bachelor and stuff. Those are what I think a lot of people think of when they think of reality TV shows.”
While Survivor isn’t as relevant or popular as it was in its origin, it’s still a fountain of hope for people you wouldn’t expect to see, to reach high and achieve great personal goals.
