Takeaways from ‘Survivor’ for engaging your audience

For 20 years and 40 seasons, CBS’s “Survivor” has captivated audiences and helped to change the landscape of television forever.

Although the show might not attract the record-high audiences it once did, it continues to be a stable ratings performer for CBS, attracting a devoted audience that tunes in season after season to watch a new group of 20 castaways compete for the $1 million prize.

CBS is commemorating the show’s 40th season this spring with “Survivor: Winners at War,” the first cast composed entirely of players who have already won the game. This time, the stakes are even higher: Not only are the castaways playing for the largest prize ever given out on a reality television series ($2 million), but they will also win the title of “Sole Survivor” against the game’s greatest players.

How has a show that premiered in 2000 stayed on the air for so long and continued to connect with audiences across a diverse range of demographics? The strategies that “Survivor” has used to keep the show engaging don’t just make for great television—they also offer plenty of takeaways for brand managers who are looking to keep audiences engaged with their PR, marketing, and social media efforts.