Out of the dozens of international “Survivor” spin-off series, none is quite as prolific and successful as “Australian Survivor.”
While the show has been around since 2002, it really hit its stride when actor Jonathan LaPaglia – better known to fans as JLP – took over as host ahead of the series’ 2016 revival. In the nine years that followed, LaPaglia gained notoriety both Down Under and in the U.S., with many American fans suggesting that he’d be the ideal replacement for Jeff Probst, should he ever decide to retire from the franchise.
Unfortunately, JLP’s tenure on the show was cut short last year following the conclusion of 2025’s “Survivor: Australia vs. the World,” as he was unceremoniously fired from the production after 13 seasons.
While series champion and “Deal or No Deal Island” winner David Genat – also known as the “Golden God” – stepped in as the new host for the latest season of “Australian Survivor” earlier this year, the installment’s low ratings have led to rumors that the entire franchise could be cut from its longtime home on Australia’s Network 10.
According to “New Idea,” however, with the series in a vulnerable state, rival network Channel Nine has reportedly been eyeing up the program. If they’re successful in taking over the Endemol Shine series, the network has reportedly expressed its plans to reinstate LaPaglia as host.
‘Australian Survivor’s Future Up in the Air as Ratings Plummet
Network 10“[Channel] Nine loves the format, but they’re clear on one thing: JLP is part of [‘Australian Survivor’s] DNA,” an unnamed source told “New Idea” on May 7. “If the show moves on, they want him front and centre again.”
The news follows just months after LaPaglia was axed from the franchise, a move that led to outcry from fans across the world, including those here in the United States.
While Genat was scheduled to take over as the host of two back-to-back seasons in 2026, the second has since been scrapped following record-low ratings during “Australian Survivor: Redemption,” which aired its finale last month.
Though the “Golden God” is still set to host his second season in 2027, with the installment currently scheduled to begin filming in Malaysia from mid-July to early September 2026, rumors suggest that the season could be the franchise’s last with its current network. The forthcoming season has also been shortened to just half its typical length to save on production costs.
“There’s a real sense this could be the last one for [Network] Ten,” the source continued, adding that, “once the season wraps, the door is wide open” for Channel Nine to swoop in and pick up the series.
New Season Axed as David Genat Takes Over Hosting Duties
The potential network shift follows a dramatic drop in viewership numbers after JLP’s exit last year.
While the finale of LaPaglia’s final season – “Survivor: Australia vs. the World” – raked in 764,000 viewers, the finale of Genat’s first season as host – “Australian Survivor: Redemption” – only pulled in 462,000 last month. That’s a drop of more than 300,000 viewers, or nearly 40 percent.
While Genat was a fan-favorite player during his time on the show, LaPaglia held a special place in viewers’ hearts.
“It’s a massive backflip,” an unnamed former castaway told “New Idea” in an April 27 interview. “David signed on, thinking he was fronting two huge seasons. Now he’s left with one shortened run. It’s not what anyone expected.”
“There was a lot riding on David’s debut, but the numbers just didn’t deliver,” the source added.
With the show in hot water at Network 10, the source similarly revealed that the network is taking drastic measures just to keep the franchise alive.
“This is about survival now. Cutting the season in half means fewer contestants, fewer episodes and a much shorter shoot. It’s a completely different show,” they concluded.
Channel Nine Hopes to Save Franchise, Reinstate JLP as Host
GettyIf Channel Nine is successful in taking over the floundering series from its current network, they plan to “bring it back to basics.”
“Stronger storytelling, tighter casting and a return to what made audiences fall in love with [‘Australian Survivor’] in the first place,” are reportedly all top priorities for the network.
Reinstating Jonathan LaPaglia is the network’s final piece of the puzzle to restore the franchise to its former glory.
“This is a huge moment,” the source added. “It’s either the end of an era…or the start of something even bigger.”
Jonathan LaPaglia Reacts to His Unceremonious ‘Survivor’ Exit
When LaPaglia, 55, found out that he was getting let go from his post as the longtime host of “Australian Survivor” last year, it came as a major blindside to everyone, including JLP himself.
“The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia,” he told Stellar at the time. “I didn’t get a direct call, which, I’ll be honest with you, was disappointing.”
“After 10 years of helming their flagship show, it would have been nice to get a direct call from the people at the top, but I didn’t.”
According to JLP, he wasn’t even given a specific reason as to why he was being let go beyond the fact that the network were “going in a different direction” with the series.
As such, when he flew to Samoa to film “Survivor: Australia vs. the World” in 2025, he had no idea that it would be his last season on the show.
“I didn’t actually get to say goodbye to ‘Australian Survivor’. ‘Australian Survivor’ said goodbye to me,” he continued, adding, “I’m going to be perfectly honest. I am going to miss it. I’m going to miss the incredibly talented crew because we spent 10 years in the trenches together, and became this tight, dysfunctional family. I’m really going to miss all of them and I’m going to miss the players. That was my favorite part of my job.”
