NAB SHOW 2026: Celebrating 50 Seasons of “Survivor” and Jesse Collins

By Pickle April 18, 2026

The 2026 NAB Show will kick off with a celebration worthy of television history, as the iconic CBS series “Survivor” marks its milestone 50th season and receives NAB’s prestigious Spirit of Broadcasting Award during the Show’s Opening Session on aPRIL 20 ON the Main Stage at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

The Opening Session will also feature a keynote conversation with Emmy Award-winner Jesse Collins, an executive producer of the annual GRAMMY Awards and an executive producer of the Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 2021, as well as other major, globe-spanning productions and broadcasts.

“Survivor” host and executive producer Jeff Probst will join in a conversation with NAB President and Chief Executive Officer Curtis LeGeyt live from Fiji — more than 5,400 miles away — where production is already underway on the show’s 51st season. The landmark “Survivor” 50 season airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS and Paramount +.

“Survivor” legend Cirie Fields will accept the award on behalf of the show. A widely celebrated fan favorite, Fields has competed in five seasons of the Emmy-winning series over 20 years. Known for her unparalleled social game, she has been called “maybe the most celebrated and loved player” in the show’s history by Probst.

The NAB Spirit of Broadcasting Award is presented periodically to individuals or organizations that have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the broadcasting industry. With 25 years on the air and a format that helped reshape modern television, “Survivor” stands as one of the most influential series in the medium’s history.

“‘Survivor’ is one of the most enduring and influential franchises in television history,” said April Carty-Sipp, executive vice president, Industry Affairs and Innovation at NAB. “For 25 years, it has continuously reinvented what unscripted storytelling can be while captivating audiences around the world. Reaching 50 seasons is an extraordinary achievement, and we’re proud to recognize its impact on our industry.”

The Opening Session will also spotlight one of the most powerful creative forces behind today’s biggest live television events. Collins, founder and CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will take the stage for a featured keynote conversation with Carolyn Giardina, a leading journalist covering entertainment technology and filmmaking craft.

Collins is the producer behind some of the most watched and culturally defining broadcasts in the world, including the BET Awards and the Oscars. His work spans music, sports and entertainment, consistently shaping the moments that bring global audiences together in real time.

“Jesse Collins is one of the leading creative forces in television today,” said Carty-Sipp. “From the Super Bowl Halftime Show to the GRAMMY Awards and the Oscars, he has helped define what live entertainment looks like at the highest level. His perspective on the craft and scale of live production will be an unforgettable highlight of the Opening Session.”

Together, the “Survivor” honor and Collins’ appearance help set the tone for a 2026 NAB Show focused on the intersection of storytelling, technology and cultural impact, from the formats that endure to the live moments that define the present.

The opening session will also celebrate America’s 250th birthday with reminders of the powerful role storytelling plays in capturing who we are as a nation, along with the industry’s role in the tools and platforms to expand those possibilities.