Survivor 2021—how to watch season 41 of the epic competition show

Survivor 2021 is here and in its 41st season we can expect some major changes. 

Last season fans of the show got to watch past winners compete for the ultimate title of Sole Survivor. After the COVID-19 pandemic caused production delays and put a temporary pause on the show, the creators used that time to re-evaluate the series. 

In the past, Survivor has been known to center around a theme each season, but this year that all changes. 

“In birthing a new era of Survivor, we are letting go, for now at least, of casting themes or seasons built around a specific twist," host and executive producer Jeff Probst told Parade. "Those ideas served us very well for 20 years, but now it’s time for something new."

The changes don't end there. The new season will premiere tonight, but will only run for 26 days, which is a huge change for the fans used to hearing, “39 days, 20 people, 1 Survivor!” The idea behind this was to accelerate gameplay which coincides with the show's goal of creating more intensive challenges. 

As a new era of Survivor unfolds, you won't want to miss out on all of the action. Get ready to tune in and cheer for your favorite castaways as they compete in a more rigorous environment. Learn how to watch Survivor 2021 below.

How to watch Survivor 41 in the US

US-based fans can easily view all the action from the comfort of their home. For those with cable, the show premieres live at 8 pm EST every Wednesday on CBS. To discover what channel CBS is on, check with your network provider as it's typically different depending on what cable provider you have. 

It's also available on streaming platforms if you prefer to watch it on your own time, or don't have cable. Watch it live or the next day through Paramount+ or you can watch it through Hulu (both will require a subscription).

How to watch Survivor 41 in the UK

For UK-based fans of the competition show you, unfortunately, may not have access to it live. In order to watch the series, you will need a VPN to keep up with the latest episodes. This also goes for anyone else located outside of the US.

A VPN is easy to set up and if you're unsure which one to use, we did already did the research for you. Our sister site, TechRadar, has tested every major VPN service and they've rated ExpressVPN as the best. 

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What is Survivor 41 about?

The reality competition show features 18 castaways who voluntarily get marooned on an isolated island. From there, they must compete in a variety of challenges while also providing food, water, fire, and shelter for themselves. Each player is placed into a "tribe," but unlike previous seasons, this one will not center around a theme. In the end, the remaining play wins $1 million and the title of "Sole Survivor."

Going into its third decade on television, Jeff tells viewers "they are in for the most intense, most difficult and most dangerous season we've ever done," he said in a statement. 

Who is in the Survivor 2021 cast?

Since there is no theme centered around season 41, we can expect a wide range of players entering the island. This season, the contestants will be split into three groups of six, but how they're split is still yet to be revealed.

• Brad Reese, 50, rancher from Shawnee, Wyoming
• Danny McCray, 33, ex-NFL player from Frisco, Texas
• David Voce, 35, neurosurgeon from Chicago, Illinois
• Deshawn Radden, 26, medical student from Miami, Florida
• Eric Abraham, 51, cyber security analyst from San Antonio, Texas
• Erika Casupanan, 32, communications manager from Toronto, Canada
• Evvie Jagoda, 28, PhD student from Arlington, Massachusetts
• Genie Chen, 46, grocery clerk from Portland, Oregon
• Heather Aldret, 52, stay-at-home mom from Charleston, South Carolina
• Jairus Robinson, 20, college student from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Liana Wallace, 20, college student from Washington, D.C.
• Naseer Muttalif, 37, sales manager from Morgan Hill, California
• Ricard Foyé, 31, flight attendant from Sedro-Woolley, Washington
• Sara Wilson, 24, healthcare consultant from Boston, Massachusetts
• Shantel Smith, 34, pastor from Washington, D.C.
• Sydney Segal, 26, law student from Brooklyn, New York
• Tiffany Seely, 47, teacher from Plainview, New York
• Xander Hastings, 21, app developer from Chicago, Illinois

Prepare to watch each contestant become stranded in Fiji during the two-hour special premiere of Survivor season 41. Wanna know who's crowned Sole Survivor? Tune into CBS each Wednesday for the jaw-dropping new season of the hit show.