"Survivor" television show to market sunflower seeds

As “Survivor” heads into its 16th season tonight on CBS, one thing is clear: Though the $1 million prize can only ever go to one person, everybody makes it out alive, tanned, toned and with a diet void of too many preservatives. The network’s Consumer Products division has decided to cash in on such health-related associations via the great American tradition of extensive merchandising.

Variety reports that the “Survivor” brand will be licensed to a fitness program and vitamin-enhanced sunflower seeds containing 100 percent the recommended intake of B and C, coming to a checkout line near you this March. According to whfoods.com, sunflower seeds already do a body pretty good with 90.5 percent of one’s daily vitamin E requirements, as well as significant traces of magnesium and cholesterol-lowering phytosterols. The more you know!

CBS has said there are also plans on the table to create “Survivor” brand outdoor adventure and corporate team-building programs, which hopefully don’t include an episode-inspired group hunt to kill a wild pig.

“You’ll see a lot more irons in the fire,” CBS told Variety, so we here at Paste decided to put on our speculation boots and wade around in the marketing possibilities:

1. Tiki torches that not only keep away meddling insects, but also emit a synthetic rendition of host Jeff Probst’s natural musk, for enhanced well-being. 2. Exfoliation cream using sand from exotic filming locations like the Australian Outback and Guatemala. 3. Immunity. Literally. Just pure, bottled immunity. If “Head On” can sell, so will this.

Related links: Variety: "Survivor" expands brand
CBS: Survivor WHFoods.com

Got news for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.