On CBS's website, the application says shooting will be in summer, and air in teh fall. According to Entertainment Magazine, Survivor is the 3rd most watched program in prime time, behind CSI and Friends. Being Friends is in it's last season, Survivor will move up hopefully! As long as Survivor is a top performer, CBS shouldnt pull the plug. As far as production costs go, they are minimal compared to other shows. The biggest expense is hotle rooms for the crew. I hear that countries and locations give CBS money, or give cost breaks to film there (publicity)> Also General Motors and other sponsors kick in millions. The show is obviously very profitable, or it wouldn't have survived (pun intended) 8 seasons and counting.