“Survivor” is a pioneer of competition reality television and a powerhouse that has sustained an impressive fan base in its 45 seasons (and counting). “On Fire: The Official Survivor Podcast” was created as a platform for viewers to come to for deep insight and analysis into the night’s episode, directly from Jeff Probst, with exclusive discussions of content cut from the TV show. In its second season, Paramount Audio evolved the show by adding a new perspective to the host lineup — a former castaway — who could bring the player perspective to the series, rounding out the fan and host point of views already in play.
Jeff Probst played an integral role in bringing this podcast to life for the premiere season. However, Paramount Audio knew that adding the player perspective would make for a fuller listening experience for Season 2. Former “Survivor” contestant Rick Devens joined as a co-host. One challenge that the production team faced in Season 2 was making sure all three points of view – the fan, the host, and the player – interacted meaningfully with one another for this new season. While it was important to bring in the player angle, production didn’t want to lose the driving force that makes the show such a standout from the myriad of Survivor podcasts in the market, and that is Probst’s involvement. Host of the linear program for all 45 seasons and counting, Probst brings his knowledge, expertise, and energy from “Survivor” to “On Fire”, and it was vital to keep that presence at the forefront of the hosts’ dynamic.
Following the Season 2 launch, “On Fire: The Official Survivor Podcast” topped the Apple Podcasts TV & Film After Shows chart and the show has been a Top 10 TV & Film podcast on Podtrac. Downloads increased in the second season and the average consumption rate for the series is an impressive 90 percent. Listeners flock to the podcast for the first-hand insight that Jeff provides, plus his open and honest take on larger themes surrounding the world of “Survivor.” The podcast content is regularly cited in press coverage and episodic recaps of “Survivor,” demonstrating the added value the show brings for those eager to dissect and gain a deeper understanding of each episode. The series was honored with a 2023 DotComm Award (Platinum award in the TV & Film Podcasts category) and a 2023 Signal Award (Silver win in the Television Podcast Series category).
