Summary

• Survivor contestants do not receive residuals for their appearances on the show, unlike host Jeff Probst who earns $300,000 per episode.
• Contestants can still make significant money from the show, such as $10,000 just for attending the reunion, with additional amounts based on their ranking.
• Fans were disappointed when the Sia cash prize, which awarded over $1 million over 14 seasons, was removed from Survivor by Jeff Probst.

On TV since 2000, Survivor has evolved along the way. Jeff Probst has updated rules, while on the flip side, some great parts of the show, like the Sia Cash Prize, have been removed.

Nonetheless, the show has provided fans with entertaining content for decades. Fans got to see some of the best seasons of Survivor. However, on the flip side, given the great content, are Survivor contestants paid for the lasting content with residuals?

That's exactly what we're going to reveal in the following. We'll take a closer look at residuals, and if contestants are given extras while on the show. In addition, we'll take a closer look at the status of the Sia Prize money.

We're going to conclude by taking a closer look at residuals and reality TV, and if anything is being done behind the scenes. As far as streaming goes, it does appear as though Ben Affleck is trying to improve the situation. We'll reveal what he's doing, and more.

Survivor Contestants Are Not Paid For Residuals

Jeff Probst has been able to amass a fortune thanks to Survivor. The host is currently paid $300,000 per episode. Though it should be noted that he also has a hand behind the scenes producing the show.

As for the contestants, they can also make some serious cash while on the show, even if they don't take home first place. CinemaBlend took a closer look at how much money survivor contestants make.

• Just for attending the reunion, no matter what your ranking was, a contestant can make $10K.
• As for thousands that finish in the middle of the pack, extra money can still be made. CinemaBlend notes that a seventh place player from Survivor: Gabon walked away with $45,000.
• Even placing 12th for Survivor: Caramoan would lead to a pay of $20,000.

This leads to the next question. What about residuals? These episodes will clearly be replayed for years to come. So do Survivors get compensated? Sadly, they made $0 for the backend deal, and this is all due to the fact that reality TV stars are not compensated for their work in the future.

Several reality stars have attempted to combat this, but still ground hasn't been made.

A fan on Reddit clarified if contestants get residual income from Survivor. "No. They get their prize money and that's it. As reality contestants, they don't count as actors and residuals aren't in their contracts."

Although that is a little bit of a bummer for contestants, the experience in itself is certainly life-changing, and money can definitely be made from the show as a contestant in prize money. However, certain "benefits" are getting slashed. Not only are residuals off the table, but it seems like the Sia Prize Money also recently vanished after several years on the show.

The Sia Prize Money Was Recently Removed

In recent times, Jeff Probst confirmed that the Sia prize money will no longer be in play. Sia had given out over $1 million to her favorite player over the course of almost a decade, starting in 2016.

• Probst worte in an IG story, “After eight years, 14 seasons, 19 players and over $1,000,000 awarded, Survivor is officially bringing the Sia Prize to a triumphant end!”
• “Over the many years, Sia has brought so much joy to so many players and it was always straight from her heart. So it is with tremendous gratitude and admiration to Sia that we bring to a close one of the most unique relationships a TV show could ever have with a pop star of Sia’s global wattage,” Probst added.

Probst still has fond memories of how the prize money was first awarded.

“I still vividly remember the day Sia stood up in the audience during the live finale ... and made her way onstage. She was so taken by Tai [Trang]’s commitment to protecting a chicken from being eaten that she awarded him $50,000 of her own money.”

As expected, the reaction was shock from everyone in the studio.

“Tai was shocked,” Probst admitted. “The audience was shocked, I was shocked! What was happening? Sia was onstage in her wig handing out money to a Survivor player!?”

It certainly is the end of a great era for Survivor. Though without a doubt, we assume a new type of incentive will appear at some point down the road.

Reality TV Stars Are Fighting Back In An Attempt To Get Compensated For Residuals

In Hollywood, there are attempts being made to potentially unionize reality TV stars. TIME revealed it has been difficult for reality stars to get protection from exploitation. Bethenny Frankel questioned why reality TV stars didn't follow in the footsteps of the writers and actors during the strike.

“Reality stars should have a union or simply be treated fairly and valued,” she said on IG.

Attempts have been made behind the scenes to improve residuals. Ben Affleck was applauded for implementing new rules in contracts. Affleck made it a point to include "Artists Equity," which ensures an actor gets residuals, even if it is for streaming.

• He said, "We’re in our fifth movie. It’s been the greatest pleasure to see people capture bonuses based on their own work, that reflects their merit—and to not have people feel like anonymous drones. I’ve worked in this business for a long time. I know that anyone who’s really good has put their work before their self-interest as a matter of course. But they want to be empowered."
• "The founding philosophy is to reward the artist, to allow them to be more responsible and accountable and to expand their compensation if their work is successful. And by the artist, I mean writers, directors, actors, cinematographers, prop people, and a whole host of people you never see in movies but who are contributing an enormous amount."

Even TV comedy stars have taken exception to shrinking residuals. Kevin Sussman from The Big Bang Theory wasn't impressed with his residual pay, revealing it is getting harder for actors to make a living.

“For me the big issue is residuals for streaming. I’ve known that it’s been untenable for years. I was surprised that it took this long for there to be a strike like this. I’ve seen residuals for my own shows absolutely tank once they go to streaming."

"I’m lucky because I was on The Big Bang Theory, which was on a broadcast network for years. Since it moved to streaming [like Max and Amazon Prime], it’s night and day. I don’t see how it’s possible for an upcoming actor these days to actually be able to make a living.”

It remains to be seen if changes will be made, but things are slowly moving behind the scenes.