‘Survivor’ Podcast on Hiatus for Season 50, Jeff Probst Explains Why

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The official “Survivor” podcast is taking a break for Season 50.

“‘Survivor’ 50 was designed as a celebration, and it features one of the most exciting game designs we’ve ever done,” Probst said in a statement to Variety. “Because of that, we made a conscious decision not to immediately pull back the curtain while it was happening. We wanted fans to discover it on their own and experience it in real time. Then at the live finale, we’ll have the opportunity to reflect on all parts of the season together.”

“On Fire With Jeff Probst” made its debut at the beginning of Season 44 in 2023. Each week, right after a new episode aired on CBS, a new episode would air where Probst would give listeners a peek behind the scenes of “Survivor,” sharing his perspective as the executive producer, showrunner, and host.

Rick Devens joined Probst and producer Jay Wolff as co-host for Season 45; Dee Valladares for 46; Charlie Davis for Season 47; Rachel LaMont took over for 48; and Jeremy Collins joined for 49.

“Survivor” 50 premiered on Feb. 25 and garnered an average of 5.06 million viewers over its three-hour debut — the largest same-day audience since Season 45’s penultimate episode in December 2023. It marked CBS’ best Wednesday night performance since the Season 42 finale of “Survivor” in 2022.

The milestone Season 50 of “Survivor” is a significant one for CBS and Probst as they introduce new twists, fan voting, and celebrity elements. During the premiere, a Billie Eilish idol was revealed; a Jimmy Fallon twist and the integration of Zac Brown and Mr. Beast are set to come later in the season — but Probst assures fans that the core game will remain unchanged.

“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,” Probst shared with Variety. “Our job was to ensure that we stayed true to what we’re doing on ‘Survivor,’ which is exploring this ongoing social experiment. And now we’re adding another layer.”