Rumblings of a possible shift in filming location first began hitting our inboxes early last month and have only grown louder since, with insiders confirming to this website that Malaysia has been locked in as the new production location for future seasons.
The move, which the network did not dispute when approached, would mark a substantial transition for the series, which has called Upolu in Samoa home for its past five filmed seasons, including the next series set to air in 2026 titled Australian Survivor: Redemption.
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Producers are understood to have been scouting alternative locations for some time, not only to refresh the series but to pursue greater production efficiencies, secure potential support from local authorities through offsets, and future proof the franchise as costs continue to rise.
With preparations ramping up for the new year, insiders say production company Endemol Shine Australia has begun sounding out key crew for the next season, with the new production location emerging during some of those early discussions.
In more news for the reality series, TV Blackbox can also reveal current plans are afoot to again film two seasons back-to-back in the new year, a move likely aimed at driving greater production efficiency as the show enters its next phase.
With filming not set to take place until later next year for likely broadcast in 2027, it is unclear whether both seasons will be earmarked for release within the same year, even with 10 having aired both Brains v Brawn II and Australia vs World this year.
TV Blackbox exclusively broke the news in 2024 that the network was then planning a season pitting Australian players against competitors from the United States, which was ultimately realised as Australian Survivor vs World with extended casting.
David Genat steps into hosting duties for Australian Survivor: Redemption in 2026 (image – Channel 10)
Malaysia is no stranger to the Survivor universe, with the first United States season filmed on Pulau Tiga and more recent international editions, including Survivor South Africa in Johor, with other editions also using locations across the Southeast Asian region.
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The Australian franchise has already undergone a major change this year after 10 parted ways with host Jonathan LaPaglia following 11 seasons back in June. His departure, understood to be driven by costs and reported creative differences, shocked fans who saw him as a defining voice of the format.
Redemption in 2026 will be the first for new host David Genat, the former player who rose to prominence in Champions vs Contenders, later returned for All Stars, won big on Deal or No Deal Island U.S, before joining the cast of Australia vs World.
With his first season as host already in the can and now in post production, insiders say Genat had a slightly shaky start as he adjusted to the demands of the role (even after a brief stint hosting Nine’s short lived reality series Rush), but soon found his groove and won over crew as filming progressed.
Survivor remains an expensive format to license worldwide and, while it continues to deliver fairly consistent audiences each year for Network 10, rising production costs over the last decade have pushed the broadcaster to explore operational efficiencies to safeguard its longevity.
Similar cost reviews have recently shaped another of the network’s key reality formats, with TV Blackbox exclusively revealing earlier this year that I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, currently filming its 2026 season in South Africa, will air without a live component ahead of its January 18 return.
When approached for comment about this story, the network remained tight lipped, directing attention instead to the new season in 2026 and refusing to be drawn on any future plans beyond that, emphasising its attention remains on Redemption.
As production readies to move camp once again, watch this space.
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