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

Feb 27, 2026 6:00pm PT Jeff Probst Explains Why the Official ‘Survivor’ Podcast Is on Hiatus for Season 50 By Emily Longeretta Plus Icon Emily Longeretta emilylongeretta Latest ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Cast and Creator Shonda Rhimes Honor Eric Dane After His Death: ‘A Truly Gifted Actor’ Who ‘Left an Indelible Mark’ 1 week ago Eric Dane, ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Euphoria’ Star, Dies at 53 1 week ago ‘Landman’ Cast Detail the Power of Team Work, Group Karaoke and Finding the Perfect Balance Between Humor and Drama 1 week ago See All Robert Voets/CBS The official “Survivor” podcast is hitting pause 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.” Related Stories Ex-'Bachelor' Host Chris Harrison Sets New Dating Series on Fox Nation About 'Traditional Marriage' Fox News' Sean Hannity Is Launching a 'Hang Out' Podcast From His Man Cave in Florida: 'Just Real Discussions With People Who Have Something Meaningful to Say' “On Fire With Jeff Probst” debuted at the start of Season 44 in 2023. Each week, directly after a new episode aired on CBS, a new episode would reveal Probst giving listeners a look behind the curtain at the making of “Survivor,” sharing his view as the executive producer, showrunner and host. Popular on Variety Rick Devens joined Probst and producer Jay Wolff as co-host for Season 45; Dee Valladares co-hosted for 46; Charlie Davis joined for Season 47; Rachel LaMont took over for 48; and Jeremy Collins joined for 49. “Survivor” 50 premiered on Feb. 25 and averaged 5.06 million viewers over its three-hour debut — the biggest same-day audience for Season 45’s penultimate episode in December 2023. It became CBS’ best Wednesday night performance since the Season 42 finale of “Survivor” in 2022. The milestone “Survivor” is a huge one for CBS and Probst, as they introduce new twists, fan voting and celebrity twists. During the premiere, a Billie Eilish idol was revealed; a Jimmy Fallon twist and integration of Zac Brown and Mr. Beast will come later in the season — but the game won’t change, Probst promises. “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,” he told Variety. “Our job was to make sure that we stayed true to what we’re doing on ‘Survivor,’ which is exploring this continuous social experiment. And now we’re adding another layer.” Jump to Comments Actor Awards’ Stunt Ensemble Categories Announce Nominated Performers and Coordinators (EXCLUSIVE) ‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Formula 1: Drive to Survive’ Win Early PGA Awards ‘Resident Evil Requiem’ Launches (Gaming News Roundup) California Attorney General Warns Paramount That Warner Bros. Discovery Acquisition is ‘Not a Done Deal’ CNN Staffers Fear Warner Bros.-Paramount Deal Will Hurt Their Journalism and Network’s Financial Health ‘Bridgerton’ Star Yerin Ha on Sophie and Benedict’s Two Very Different Sex Scenes, Hoping for ‘Benophie Babies’ in Future Seasons JavaScript is required to load the comments. Loading comments...