‘Survivor’: Global Reality Competition Returns For New UK Version On BBC In 2023

51

After the recent announcement that the BBC would be reviving 90s hit ‘Gladiators’ a few weeks ago, the broadcaster has now struck a deal to bring back a UK version of the global reality competition series ‘Survivor‘.

The brand new 16-episode series of the ultimate physical and psychological gameshow promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the “Ultimate Survivor”.

20 people, carefully selected from across the UK will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of eliminations that will take place at the iconic tribal council, the tribes will eventually merge before one person takes away a cash prize and proves that they have what it takes to be the Ultimate Survivor.

“Survivor is a global television hit and to be able to bring one of TV’s most successful formats to audiences in the UK in a uniquely BBC way is a very exciting prospect indeed,” said Kate Phillips, Director of Unscripted at the BBC.

‘Survivor’, a Banijay format created by Charlie Parsons, is one of the most watched reality entertainment formats around the world. Celebrating 25 years this year, (the format was first employed in 1997 in Sweden), the show has gone on to be ranked as the “Number 1 Best Reality Show of All Time” by Variety. 50 versions have been commissioned around the world to date, and the CBS version of the show from the USA will soon be airing its 43rd series.

“Survivor is ‘the greatest gameshow on earth’ for a reason – it has everything – reality, adventure, drama, and the ultimate game,” adds Natalka Znak, CEO Remarkable Entertainment. “I can’t wait to be boots on the ground, working with Paul Osborne, Stephen Lovelock and the fantastic team at Remarkable to make this epic series for the BBC.”

This will be the second attempt to bring ‘Survivor’ to the UK. The first ran for two seasons on ITV from 2001-2002, but didn’t really get the ratings the channel was hoping for. Then ‘I’m a Celebrity…‘ (which had a somewhat similar format) launched later in 2002 and became a massive hit, so ITV opted not to renew ‘Survivor’ for more seasons.

‘Survivor’ is a Remarkable Entertainment (a Banijay UK company) production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer and was commissioned by Kate Phillips in her capacity as Director of Entertainment Commissioning. Natalka Znak from Remarkable Entertainment is Executive Producer alongside Claire O’Donohoe, Paul Osborne and Stephen Lovelock. The format was developed for the BBC by Richard Hague. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Rachel Ashdown.

‘Survivor (UK)‘ will launch in 2023 on BBC One and iPlayer. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when they get a UK premiere date.