BBC releases teaser for its upcoming “Survivor” remake

Virgin Radio

17 Jul 2023, 14:29

Credit: BBC

The BBC has released the trailer for its relaunch of the popular reality-television show “Survivor”, bringing the long running American competition back to British television.

The trailer aired during Saturday’s Women’s Wimbledon final, with the show’s host, Joel Dommett, welcoming viewers to a “remote part of the world where 18 people will take part in the toughest, most challenging reality show on television”.

The format of the show is to remain consistent with the state-side version, which sees contestants, divided into two teams, compete for a cash prize in an isolated, exotic location. However, the BBC’s teaser reveals only 18 contestants rather than the initial announcement of 20.

Comedian and presenter Joel Dommett will be hosting the series following recent success presenting The Masked Singer UK and the 2021 National Television Awards.

Dommett announced the news earlier this year on social media; “A huge thank you to the BBC for trusting me with this. It’s such a hugely popular format all over the world and I’m super excited to help bring it to our sweet little country. Let the tribal councils BEGIN!”

The series, believed to have been filmed against the tropical background of the Dominican Republic, will air as 16 episodes, each promising viewers tests of “brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor”.

Survivors first aired on British television with ITV in 2001 and continued for two series before finishing broadcasting. The upcoming BBC version seeks to be much closer to the American and Australian equivalents, focusing on high action, in a “strategic game” designed to push contestants “physically, mentally and emotionally”.

“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”, says Kate Philips, Director of Unscripted at BBC.