Looking for adventure, but not sure if you want to get up off the couch? Well, we’ve got the next best thing with this list of the most popular Outdoor Survival TV Shows available to stream right now. So, take your hiking shoes off and live vicariously through these always entertaining, sometimes dangerous and definitely shocking outdoor survival series.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest outdoorsy TV shows so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Extracted to Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, this list will help fans of outdoor survival series stay up to date on the most popular series available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 10 OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SHOWS TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending Outdoor Survival shows that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Extraction’
↑ 10 vs. Prior Week
Step into the heart-pounding drama of Extracted, the new Fox survival show that puts family bonds and resilience to the ultimate test. Twelve untrained contestants are thrust into the brutal Canadian wilderness, facing perilous terrains, extreme weather and the constant threat of predators—all while being monitored 24/7 by their loved ones from a secluded headquarters.
The twist? Each family has the power to decide their contestant’s fate. Do they believe their loved one has the strength to endure, or will they press the ominous “Extracted” button, pulling their family out of the running for the $250,000 prize? Extracted is a survival competition like no other, where grit, trust and family loyalty collide in a battle for both survival and victory.
2. ‘Gold Rush’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Brace yourself for a gripping journey filled with grit, determination and fortune on Gold Rush. The intense and grueling journey of miners is uncovered, led by prospector Todd Hoffman, as they risk everything to strike gold in Alaska’s wild frontier.
This Discovery Channel reality television series showcases the trials, triumphs and incredible stories of miners navigating through inclement weather, and unpredictable, often dangerous, circumstances in the quest for gold. Tune in to Gold Rush and immerse yourself in the world of ambitious treasure hunters going the extra mile for a taste of wealth.
3. ‘Life Below Zero’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Experience the thrill of extreme survival with Life Below Zero. This gripping reality TV series is not for the faint-hearted, as audiences journey with an off-the-grid cast of Alaskans, including Chip and Agnes Hailstone, along with seasoned wilderness survivalists like Sue Aikens as they battle daily against the inhospitable Arctic weather.
As they hunt for food, catch fish, outsmart predators and construct shelters, you’ll find yourself wondering if you could withstand life in the Subarctic. Witness the unfiltered struggle for life, survival and freedom in the gloriously raw wilderness of Alaska, on Life Below Zero.
4. ‘Naked and Afraid’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Put your survival skills to the ultimate test with Naked and Afraid, a reality series that challenges participants to survive in harsh wilderness settings with no clothing, assistance or provisions. The participants, consisting of one man and one woman survivalist, are in a constant fight against the elements for three entire weeks.
Their bravery, resourcefulness and physical endurance are stretched to the limit in this gripping series, providing suspense in every episode. Tune in to Naked and Afraid to see how human resilience prevails even under the most extreme conditions.
5. ‘Naked and Afraid XL’
↑ 7 vs. Prior Week
Prepare to delve into a world where survival instincts and humanity’s bare essence are tested to the extreme. In Naked and Afraid XL, released in 2015, a group of experienced survivalists find themselves stranded in nature’s toughest terrains with no clothing, no food and no help.
The contestants will astound you with their fearlessness, determination and ingenuity in perilous conditions, escalating the reality-competition to a new level. Viewers can expect a tense and often in-your-face series that sheds light on the primordial survival instincts etched deep within all of us. Who among the survivalists will endure, conquer and claim the ultimate bragging rights?
6. ‘Life Below Zero: Next Generation’
↓ 2 vs. Prior Week
Dive into the chilling depths of the Alaskan wilderness in Life Below Zero: Next Generation, an outdoor survival reality show. It follows a group of resilient individuals who have traded their conventional lives for an intense and surroundings in Alaska.
Free from the trappings of modern society, these pioneers are confronted with harsh realities and face the grim, yet awe-inspiring, elements of Mother Nature on a daily basis. The series offers viewers a jaw-dropping view into their struggle for survival, challenging them to forge their own path, while leading a self-sustained life off the grid.
7. ‘North Woods Law’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the high-stakes world of North Woods Law, where the Conservation Officers of New Hampshire’s Fish and Game Department work tirelessly to preserve and safeguard the natural resources of the Granite State. Get up-close and personal with real-life conservation officers like Chris Egan as they engage in a variety of operations. From the mundane to the dangerous, these heroes navigate rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions. Each episode offers a well-crafted blend of nature, action and heartwarming animal rescue stories to captivate any outdoors enthusiast or wild animal lover. Be astonished by the challenges and triumphs of these unsung heroes that live and breathe North Woods Law.
8. ‘Alaskan Bush People’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Wander off the beaten path with Alaskan Bush People, a captivating reality series following the adventurous lives of the Browns, a family of nine that takes survivalists’ credo to new extremes. Choosing to live in the remote Alaskan wilderness, far from modern conveniences, this rugged group faces unyielding natural elements in their quest to remain off grid.
Take a raw peek into their homemade lifestyle, where every day is a quest for survival and each episode holds unexpected challenges and thrilling adventures. Back-to-basic living was never so wild and entertaining than on Alaskan Bush People.
9. ‘Yellowstone Wardens’
↓ 3 vs. Prior Week
Get an exclusive glimpse into the majestic yet dangerous world of the Yellowstone Wardens. This nature and animal reality series propels you into the throes of unpredictable wildlife situations faced by the guardians of the country’s first national park — Yellowstone. From implacable Mother Nature to the untamed wildlife, every day is a fight for survival. Witness the dedication, courage and commitment of these brave wardens as they strive to protect the natural wonder that is Yellowstone, and all of the animals within it. A show that beautifully balances adrenaline-pumping sequences with breathtaking landscapes, Yellowstone Wardens is the perfect watch for adventure and nature enthusiasts alike.
10. ‘Life Below Zero: First Alaskans’
↔ vs. Prior Week
Life Below Zero: First Alaskans offers an intimate portrayal of the daily trials and tribulations faced by native Alaskans. Immerse yourself in the lives of the Hailstone family, a clan led by skilled hunters and gatherers navigating against the harsh, icy conditions of Alaska. This tension-filled documentary series brings viewers face-to-face with life-or-death survival situations, where the failure to hunt or fish can mean the end. Witness this captivating story of resilience, adaptation, and survival against some of the most unforgiving conditions on Earth.
And there you have it: the top 10 outdoor survival shows to stream at home. Stay tuned for updates to come so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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And for even more insight into the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are outdoor survival shows?
Outdoor survival shows give viewers a glimpse into how much work it takes to survive in nature without the assistance of modern technology we are accustomed to. Outdoor survival shows can be competition-based, like 'Survivor', or more educational, like 'North Woods Law.'
What are the most popular survival reality TV series?
'Survivor,' 'Alone,' 'Naked and Afraid.'
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