If you're scouring the internet trying to figure out when is Survivor 48, I’ve got some news that might make you feel like you just tripped during an immunity challenge. It already happened. Honestly, time in the "New Era" of Survivor moves faster than a hidden immunity idol being flushed at tribal council.
Survivor 48 officially hit our screens on February 26, 2025. It wasn't just another season in Fiji; it was the final bridge before the massive milestone of Season 50. Because of how CBS cycles their seasons, a lot of fans get turned around.
We just saw the finale on May 21, 2025.
The Survivor 48 Timeline You Actually Need
Let's get the dates straight because the filming vs. airing schedule is a whole thing. The castaways actually lived on the beaches of the Mamanuca Islands way back in the summer of 2024. Specifically, they were out there from June 27 to July 22, 2024.
If you're looking for the next season because you've already binged 48, you're actually looking for Survivor 49, which premiered on September 24, 2025.
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Right now, as we sit in January 2026, the hype train has completely left the station for Survivor 50. But it’s worth looking back at 48 because it gave us some of the weirdest strategy we’ve seen in years. Remember the "Niu Nai" merge tribe name? It literally translates to "Milk." Yeah. That happened.
Why Survivor 48 Was Different
The season kept the 26-day format. Some people hate it, saying it’s not the "real" 39-day grind, but 48 proved that 26 days is plenty of time for people to lose their minds. We had 18 contestants divided into three tribes: Civa, Lagi, and Vula.
Kyle Fraser, an attorney from Brooklyn, eventually took home the million dollars. It wasn't a blowout, though. He won in a 5-2-1 vote against Eva Erickson and Joe Hunter.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
People always ask "when is Survivor 48" because they expect a fall release. CBS has been like clockwork with their two-season-a-year cadence. One starts in September, one starts in February.
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If you missed 48, you can find the whole thing on Paramount+. It’s 13 episodes of absolute chaos. Most episodes were 90 minutes, which is basically the gold standard for the show now. It gives us more camp life and fewer "sob story" montages, which I think we can all agree is a win.
A Quick Refresher on the S48 Cast
- Kyle Fraser (Winner): The lawyer who somehow didn't come across as a lawyer until he started talking to the jury.
- Eva Erickson (Runner-up): A PhD candidate who played a massive social game but couldn't quite stick the landing.
- Joe Hunter: A Fire Captain who was basically the "dad" of the season.
- Chrissy Sarnowsky: At 55, she was the oldest on the island and a total firecracker.
What’s Happening Now?
Since it’s January 2026, the big question isn't about 48 anymore—it's about the monster season coming up. CBS has already confirmed that Survivor 50 will premiere on February 25, 2026.
That is going to be the "All-Stars" season everyone has been begging for. Jeff Probst has already teased that it will feature players specifically from the New Era (Seasons 41-49), though rumors are flying about some older legends potentially sneaking in.
Is Survivor 48 Worth the Rewatch?
Totally. If you’re a strategy nerd, the way the "Vula" tribe completely imploded early on is a masterclass in what not to do. They lost four people in a row. It was a bloodbath.
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If you are just getting back into the show, don't skip it. It sets the stage for how the game is played right now—fast, paranoid, and full of people who have practiced fire-making in their backyards for months.
Your Next Steps for Catching Up
If you realized you're behind and need to see how Kyle won, head over to Paramount+ and look for the "Survivor 48" tab. If you're already caught up and waiting for the next big thing, clear your calendar for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, for the three-hour premiere of Survivor 50. In the meantime, you can watch the special "Encore Event" CBS is running throughout February 2026, which features ten iconic episodes highlighting the players returning for the milestone 50th season.