✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa.
Will chaos reign? A look at Survivor 49
Since Season 41, Survivor’s “new era” has made its central goal keeping players off-balance. That intense, unpredictable spirit has fully spilled over into Survivor 49 even before the torches were lit.
Last season, we watched Kyle Fraser execute a highly effective game of social and strategic positioning. But if the premiere is any indication, Survivor 49 is going to be a glorious mess. The season is already fueled by unprecedented, chaotic energy, thanks to a historic, last-minute casting debacle that forced two alternates into the game just hours before the start.
The central question is whether these new castaways will lean into the disorder and make big moves, or if the desire to “keep the tribe strong” will lead to another set of predictable early exits.
The good news is that watching the madness unfold remains straightforward. Survivor 49 airs live every Wednesday night on CBS, with on-demand streaming available the next day on Paramount+. Here’s my complete guide on how to watch Survivor Season 49, so you don’t miss a single blindside or idol hunt.
Survivor Season 49 schedule and key updates
Host and executive producer Jeff Probst is back, of course, reminding us every episode that the show is always evolving. This season continues the 26-day, three-tribe format filmed in the Mamanuca Islands in Fiji.
The biggest headline kicking off the season was the last-minute cast shake-up. Two players were removed for communicating with each other before the game. This brought in alternates, meaning four total players on the beach are former standby contestants. That desperate hunger to play is going to inform every decision they make. Will they play too hard, too fast? I can’t wait to find out.
New episodes will continue to be a generous 90 minutes long, giving us more time for the social dynamics I live for. You can check out the full Survivor 49 TV schedule below. I’ll keep the table updated as the season progresses.
Survivor 49 weekly episode schedule
| Episode # | Day | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday, Sept. 24 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 2 | Wednesday, Oct. 1 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 3 | Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 4 | Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 5 | Wednesday, Oct. 22 | 8:00 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 6 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 7 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 8 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 9 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 10 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 11 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 12 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
| 13 | TBA | TBA | CBS, Paramount+ Premium |
Data effective as of post date.
Pro tip: To enjoy the full Survivor experience, you need to be able to watch live. Why? Because of the online discourse. The memes, the live reactions on Threads, and the deeper analysis on Reddit are all part of the fun.
If you don’t have cable, the most complete viewing option is a Paramount+ Premium plan. It gives you a live stream of your local CBS channel, so you can watch every tribal council in real-time. Paramount+ is also “the vault” for all 48 past seasons, making it the must-have service for the Survivor super fan.
Meet the tribes of Survivor 49
This season features 18 brand-new castaways divided into three tribes: Hina, Kele, and Uli. When the castaways were announced in August, I quickly began investigating each contestant for a thorough vibe check. Here’s a quick overview of the original tribes.
Hina Tribe: The underdogs with an edge
The Hina tribe is immediately interesting because it houses both of the last-minute replacements, Jason and MC, giving them a shared, intense starting point. Jason is a law clerk with self-proclaimed “little guy” energy and a keen mind for strategy. MC is a fitness trainer who only recently became a fan, so she’ll need to rely on her social game. The presence of Steven Ramm, a rocket scientist, and Matt Williams, an airport ramp agent, gives this tribe a great mix of brains and brawn. This group could easily become a tight-knit unit if they manage the chaos well.
- Jason Treul (law clerk)
- Kristina Mills (MBA career coach)
- Matt Williams (airport ramp agent)
- Michelle “MC” Chukwujekwu (fitness trainer)
- Steven Ramm (rocket scientist)
- Sophie Segreti (strategy associate)
Kele Tribe: The early-game strategists
The Kele tribe is already the talk of the town, albeit for frustrating reasons. They were the first to visit Tribal Council, voting out the perceived weakest physical player, Nicole Mazullo, over Kimberly “Annie” Davis. My first thought: Ugh. A boot over physicality is one of the most boring moves in the game.
The silver lining is the rest of the tribe: political comms director Alex Moore, correctional officer Jake Latimer (who missed the birth of his child to be here), and entrepreneur Sophi Balerdi, who is already on record wanting to use someone as a “meat shield.” There’s clear strategic potential here, but they need to shake off that early-game, challenge-focused thinking.
- Alex Moore (political comms director)
- Jake Latimer (correctional officer)
- Jeremiah Ing (global events manager)
- Kimberly “Annie” Davis (musician)
- Nicole Mazullo (financial crime consultant)
- Sophi Balerdi (entrepreneur)
Uli Tribe: The media-savvy contenders
I’m extremely high on the Uli tribe, which contains several media-savvy players who seem to understand the game’s narrative. Savannah Louie is a former reporter, and she’s already getting buzz for her savvy social game. Former Marvel Studios film producer Nate Moore is the closest thing this season has to a celebrity. If anyone understands how to shape a winning story, it’s him. Rounding them out is tech sales rep Rizo Velovic and clinical social worker Sage Ahrens-Nichols, who is one of the season’s original alternates. This tribe is packed with players who know how to control information, which could make them formidable post-merge.
- Jawan Pitts (video editor)
- Nate Moore (film producer)
- Rizo Velovic (tech sales)
- Sage Ahrens-Nichols (clinical social worker)
- Savannah Louie (former reporter)
- Shannon Fairweather (wellness specialist)
How to watch Survivor FAQ
How can I watch Survivor without cable?
You can stream new Survivor episodes live with a Paramount+ Premium subscription, or watch on demand the next day with a Paramount+ Essential plan. Alternatively, the show is available on live TV streaming services that carry CBS, or you can tune in for free using a digital antenna if you live near a CBS affiliate.
Is Survivor streaming on Hulu, Peacock, or Netflix?
No, Survivor is an exclusive CBS program, which means it primarily streams on the network’s proprietary streaming service, Paramount+. You won’t find episodes on Peacock or Netflix. But select episodes are available on Hulu (often via the Disney Bundle) and Paramount’s free streaming service Pluto TV.
Can I watch Survivor free on Amazon Prime?
No, Survivor doesn’t stream for free on Amazon Prime Video. You’ll need the Paramount+ channel add-on to stream episodes (past and present) of Survivor.
Where is Survivor filmed, and can I attend a live taping?
Survivor 49 continues the show’s tradition of filming in the Mamanuca Islands, Fiji. This marks the seventeenth consecutive season in this location. While the location provides beautiful backdrops, the show is filmed months in advance, and there’s no live audience.
