Survivor made history when it aired nearly fifty seasons ago, but over the years, it's changed reality television through heartfelt conversation starters, captivating gameplay, and continuous evolution.
There are so many moments that make Survivor one of the best reality TV shows in history, but did you know Survivor also set the pace for all future competition reality shows and became a standard across the board for primetime? Let's get into it!
1. The genesis of competition reality TV
When Survivor premiered in 2001, it was the first social reality show to introduce competitive elements with contestants fighting for a grand prize. This means it was also the first reality show to establish the ideas of forming alliances and blindsiding, two major factors that make reality TV so captivating today.
2. Proving reality TV can dominate Primetime
The first season finale of Survivor ended up being the second-most watched TV episode of the decade, only behind the Friends series finale.
With over 51 million viewers tuning in to see who was crowned the first Sole Survivor, the show proved that a reality competition could be just as successful—if not more—than any other primetime show, whether scripted or not.
3. The first best reality TV host
Jeff Probst won the first ever "Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality Competition Program" Emmy in it's inaugural year, 2008.
He then went on to win the award four years in a row, establishing himself as the best reality television host during the time when reality TV was finally becoming popularized in the mainstream.
4. Going high definition
With Survivor's immense success, CBS filmed and aired its 17th season (Survivor: Gabon) in HD, making it one of the first network series to transition to premium visuals even before many very popular scripted shows.
With the switch, Survivor once again proved that it was a front-runner in the television space, not just for reality TV, but across the board.
5. The Queen stays Queen
While other reality shows had all-star seasons before Survivor did in season 8, it is the first reality competition show to have the same winner crowned twice in two separate seasons.
So not only is Sandra Diaz-Twine the queen of Survivor, being the first two-time winner of the show, but she's also the first two-time reality competition winner ever.
6. Sparking cultural conversations and movements
Survivor: Game Changers is by far one of the most memorable seasons in the show's history due to the unpredictable moment when fan favorite Zeke Smith was outed as transgender during Tribal Council.
The episode led to a global conversation about outing, representation, and trans visibility, allowing organizations like GLAAD to amplify resources and raise LGBTQIA+ voices.
Overall, there's so many ways Survivor has contributed to the way we watch TV today. And with the 50th season quickly approaching, there's no doubt it will continue to break barriers and live on and one of the best TV shows in history. Period.