“Survivor” may outlast us all.
CBS has renewed the veteran reality competition for a 29th and 30th edition to air in the 2014-15 season.
Jeff Probst has also signed on to return as host and executive producer of the long-running series (he has hosted since the show’s premiere).
The most recent edition “Survivor: Blood vs. Water,” which featured former contestants competing alongside their relatives, is averaging 11.3 million viewers on Wednesday nights. Its 3.1 rating among adults 18-49 ranks it as the No. 2 reality series on broadcast TV in that demo.
“Survivor” has been a flagship show for CBS over the last decade, becoming a ratings phenomenon when it premiered in May 2000 and ushering in the wave of reality television and launching the career of producer Mark Burnett. Originally airing on Thursdays, it helped CBS surpass NBC’s “Must See TV” night as that block began to fade.
“We are thrilled to announce this landmark renewal for ‘Survivor,’ a groundbreaking show that changed the TV landscape and helped usher in a new era of ratings dominance for the network,” said CBS Entertainment president Nina Tassler in a statement. “’Survivor’ continues to set the bar for outstanding production values, compelling storytelling while delivering fresh new adventures every season.”
Its season finale airs Sunday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. on Ch. 2.