Survivor Season 1

Survivor: Borneo, the groundbreaking first season of the iconic reality competition series, premiered on CBS on May 31, 2000. Originally referred to simply as Survivor or Survivor: Pulau Tiga, this season was filmed on the remote island of Pulau Tiga in Malaysia from March 13 to April 20, 2000. The show introduced audiences to the now-legendary format of contestants living in isolation, competing in challenges, and voting each other off the island until one "Sole Survivor" remained.

Hosted by Jeff Probst, the season began with 16 castaways divided into two tribes, Tagi and Pagong. Contestants faced the harsh realities of island survival, including food shortages, extreme weather, and strategic gameplay. The season is best remembered for the alliance-building strategy pioneered by Richard Hatch, who ultimately became the first Sole Survivor and won the $1 million prize. His calculated moves, combined with physical and mental endurance, laid the foundation for the game’s future evolution.

Survivor: Borneo was a cultural phenomenon, drawing massive viewership and sparking the reality TV craze. The dramatic Tribal Councils, the merging of tribes, and the intense social dynamics captivated audiences, establishing Survivor as a trailblazer in competitive reality television.