Discovery Channel's new 'Survival Live' is a real-life 'Hunger Games'

Discovery Channel is putting on a real life Hunger Games. At least that’s what the network’s new show, Survival Live (WT) sounds like to me — without the killing, of course. Eight contestants will compete for 42 days in the wilderness on what the network is billing as the first-ever live broadcast survival show.

The network describes it as a, “24/7 real time, multi-platform viewing experience where viewers will play a large role in each survivalist’s success or failure. The survivalists struggle will be streamed live, day and night, from the moment they are abandoned into the remote wilderness with only the clothes on their back. Viewers will have the ability to check out the survivalists biometric data to see who is physically struggling, and can elect to help them out. The survivalists will be able to build a relationship with the audience by talking to them through the cameras. That relationship could be the difference between failing to succeed on the first week or making it the full 42 days. To prosper, these survivalists will need the audience in their corner if they want to stay alive.”

In addition to pre-recorded episodes, there will be live ones where the weakest survivalist will be “extracted,” based on “how well they have demonstrated their skills and how well they have maintained themselves physically,” according to the network. At the end of 42 days, only one will remain.

Frankly, this set-up gives me the heebie-jeebies. (In my head I’m saying this like King Julian.) It sounds just a touch sinister…but these people are competing willingly, and it’s not actually deadly. Discovery is no stranger to survival shows: Naked and Afraid, Dual Survival, and Bear Grylls: Escape from Hell…who knew there were so many ways to strand people in the wild with video cameras? But, this one sounds like something you won’t want to miss, so be ready for it to hit later this year.

The Hollywood Reporter, who first broke the news, spoke to Eileen O’Neill, group president of Discovery and TLC Networks, who said that the show would likely be filmed somewhere in the Pacific Rim. I hope it’s somewhere balmy.