‘Survivor 49’ Teased as ‘Hot’ and ‘Moody’ Season

Fans are just weeks away from the premiere of “Survivor 49,” set to make its CBS debut on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. With a brand new batch of castaways ready to outwit, outplay and outlast the competition in hopes of claiming the title of “Sole Survivor” and the $1 million grand prize, CBS, as well as the show’s longtime host and executive producer Jeff Probst, have teased the upcoming season as “hot” and “moody” ahead of its premiere next month. 

Though the forthcoming season has been somewhat overshadowed by the highly anticipated premiere of “Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans,” set to feature the series’ largest-ever cast of returning players, including legends like Cirie Fields and Ozzy Lusth, next February, all eyes are now on “Survivor 49” as its draws ever closer. 

‘Survivor’ Producer Teases Season 49 as ‘Very Moody’

In a post promoting Season 49, Barry Poznick, the President of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., teased the upcoming season as “moody” on Instagram. 

“Get ready for a very moody season of Survivor!’ wrote the producer on August 7. 

While past seasons have been teased as “chaotic,” “emotional” and “captivating” ahead of their respective premieres, “moody” is a word that hasn’t traditionally been used to describe the Emmy-winning reality competition series. 

Though the term could refer to the season being unpredictable or mysterious, it could also suggest that “Survivor 49” will be defined by a gloomy or sullen atmosphere. It similarly remains unclear if Poznick is referring to the season as a whole, its gameplay, or the players themselves as “moody.”

Jeff Probst Says ‘Survivor 49’ is the Series’ ‘Hottest’ Season Ever

Alternatively, Probst described the forthcoming season as “hot” in an August 13 interview with Gold Derby, referring specifically to its setting in Fiji’s Mamanuca Islands, where the show has been filmed exclusively since Season 33. 

“What was unique about this season in terms of Fiji was, it was hot,” said Probst. “This ranks as one of the hottest seasons we’ve ever done. It’s like China hot. I’m sweating through my shirts, I’m having trouble remembering things.” 

“We’re just now starting to edit [Season 49],” he continued. “But I think it’s going to come out in the show that additional cognitive decline is fast. And you’ll see it at Tribal. When I say to somebody early on, what’s your name? And they say, ‘Uh, don’t tell me, I know.’ I wondered what was happening, are they just kind of losing their minds, and is that why they’re just so funny? But there’s definitely a fun sense of humor.” 

Season 49 Players Were Keeny Aware of the Chance to Join ‘Survivor 50’ Cast

Probst similarly revealed that this season’s cast were, like all “Survivor” fans, curious about the looming premiere of Season 50. 

“They are aware because they asked me, ‘Have you finished casting 50 yet?’” he revealed. “And I said, ‘No, it’s in a state of flux.’ And you could see all of them almost at the same moment go, ‘I got a shot. I could be on 50.’”

It has since been revealed that two players from Season 49 are due to appear on the cast of Season 50, though who, exactly, those players will be remains to be (at least officially) confirmed by CBS. 

“I think that added obviously a little incentive to go for it,” Porbst continued. “It’s a hard run for them in the beginning. It evens out a little later, the weather dies down. But I think fans are going to really like this group.”