Robert McKnight writes in TV Blackbox that his sources expect 10 to place the season in the timeslot previously occupied by I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!
If that plan goes ahead, Australian Survivor could find itself competing with the Australian Open and the opening weeks of Nine's ratings heavyweight Married At First Sight.
10 has not announced a premiere date or timeslot. The network has only confirmed that Australian Survivor: Rivals is coming to 10 in 2027.
The new season will send 24 castaways to Malaysia, where host David Genat will oversee a world-first theme built around 12 pairs of real-world rivals.
The full Australian Survivor: Rivals cast includes NRL star Robbie Farah against Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper, AFL opponents Heath Shaw and Adam Cooney, and The Block twins Alisa and Lysandra Fraser. Olympic champions Kerri Pottharst and Danielle Scott, actors Bernard Curry and Lincoln Lewis, and media personalities Mitch Churi and Christian Wilkins are also among the rival pairings.
McKnight also suggested the expensive series could face a break from 10 after the 2027 season, but the network has not announced any decision about the show's future.
A January launch would give Rivals a prominent start to the year, along with some fierce competition before the castaways even reach their first challenge.
Viewers will have to wait for 10 to confirm the official premiere date and schedule.
