Jonathan LaPaglia may reprise his hosting role on Australian Survivor thanks to a technical twist.
In June, the beloved TV personality confirmed he had been axed from the Channel Ten show after a decade at the helm, and this month it was revealed he would be replaced by former contestant David Genat.
Fans have rallied around Jonathan in the wake of the news – even starting a petition to see him reinstated as host.
And there may well be a glimmer of hope for the beloved host.
According to Woman’s Day, Channel Ten’s rights to Australian Survivor will expire in 2026, and Channel Nine is already eyeing up the reality series.
‘Network Ten’s rights to Australian Survivor are set to expire next year and everyone is worried that the show could be snapped up by a rival network,’ a TV producer told Woman’s Day.
Jonathan LaPaglia may reprise his hosting role on Australian Survivor thanks to a technical twist
According to Woman’s Day, Channel Ten’s rights to Australian Survivor will expire in 2026, and Channel Nine is already eyeing up the reality series with Jonathan back as host
This would not be the first time Channel Nine has nabbed a show from Ten. The network has acquired The Bachelor and The Golden Bachelor in recent years.
Jonathan is said to already be in talks with Nine, who have ‘promised’ to reinstate him as frontman if they succeed.
‘There’s no doubt that Nine would bring back Jonathan LaPaglia and that would be the perfect way to make some noise and get the franchise back on track,’ the insider added.
‘I don’t see this as the end of Jonathan’s time in the Australian Survivor universe.’
As it stands, Jonathan will front the show for the last time in the Australia V The World series, which will hit screens later this year.
In a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, he detailed the brutal way he found out he had lost his job.
‘The speculation online was that I received an email. But no, it was a call to my manager in Australia,’ he said.
‘I didn’t get a direct call, which, I’ll be honest with you, was disappointing.
As it stands, Jonathan will front the show for the last time in the Australia V The World series, which will hit screens later this year
‘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.’
Earlier this month, it was revealed that production was already underway for the 2026 season, with David taking over as the show’s new host.
David was recently spotted arriving overseas to begin filming the new season, but insiders have confirmed that ‘behind the scenes’, the dust is far from settling.
‘It’s a cost-cutting move, plain and simple,’ a source close to production revealed.
‘But replacing a seasoned host with a player who’s barely earned his stripes? It’s baffling.’