Network 10 will kick off its 2027 schedule with Australian Survivor: Rivals, with David Genat returning to host the reality competition in January, as first revealed by TV Blackbox.
The upcoming season 13 (the franchise’s 15th overall) will introduce a “world-first” theme, teased by Genat at the Redemption reunion earlier this year where Caleb was crowned Sole Survivor.
TV Blackbox first revealed the series would move to Malaysia for 2027, before later exclusively revealing its Rivals theme, which was subsequently confirmed by Network 10.
The 2027 Rivals cast includes former NRL star Robbie Farah, former Wallabies captain Adam Ashley-Cooper, AFL premiership players Heath Shaw and Adam Cooney, Olympic gold medallist Kerri Pottharst, Winter Olympian Danielle Scott, actors Bernard Curry and Lincoln Lewis, The Block twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser, and media personalities Christian Wilkins and Mitch Churi.
The format will see the 24 castaways split into two tribes, with 12 pairs matched against each other based on their strengths, talents, drive, charisma and hunger for the $500,000 prize.
As well as outwitting, outplaying and outlasting their fellow contestants, each player will need to overcome their designated rival to claim the title of Sole Survivor.
Host David Genat said the new location and format would push the contestants to their limits.
“We’ve taken sporting heroes, superfans, famous faces and everyday Aussies to a new location in the brutal but beautiful Malaysia, that will push them to their limits and against their ultimate rival.”
“Intense and surprising, Australian Survivor: Rivals is truly a season not to miss!”
The early January launch will give 10 a major reality competition to lead its new-year schedule, following the network’s decision to end its run of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! also as revealed by this site, and the format’s subsequent move to Seven.
The series had traditionally occupied an early-year slot on 10, with Australian Survivor now set to lead the network’s entertainment line-up from early January.
Australian Survivor is produced for 10 by Endemol Shine Australia, part of Banijay Entertainment.
