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Entertainment • TV Show

Alone

Alone is an American survival competition television series that premiered on History in 2015.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Alone is an American survival competition television series that premiered on History on June 18, 2015. Contestants are isolated in remote wilderness locations with limited gear and film themselves while trying to outlast the others; the last participant remaining wins a cash prize.

Premise

Each season places contestants in a remote natural setting where they must survive with only a limited set of tools and supplies. They document their own experience, and the competition ends when all but one participant has withdrawn or been removed.

Production and format

The series uses a self-filmed format with no camera crews in the field, which distinguishes it from many other reality competitions. Contestants are monitored for safety through periodic medical checks and may quit voluntarily at any time.

Broadcast and availability

Alone premiered on History and has continued for multiple seasons. It has also been made available on streaming platforms and digital storefronts in various regions.

Reception and longevity

The series has become one of History's best-known unscripted programs and has run for many seasons. Public listings in 2026 show the series extending into at least a 13th season in some catalogue sources.

Key facts

  • Contestants live alone in remote wilderness conditions with limited survival equipment.
  • Participants are isolated from each other and from other people, except for medical check-ins.
  • The series originally premiered on History on June 18, 2015.
  • The main prize was $500,000, later increased to $1 million for season 7.
  • The show has been distributed through multiple platforms, including streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu.
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Canadian context

Several seasons have been set in Canada, including Vancouver Island, Northern Saskatchewan, and the Northern Canadian wilderness, making the series especially relevant to Canadian viewers.[4][6][8]

Frequently asked questions

What is Alone about?
It is a survival competition in which contestants try to last the longest in the wilderness while isolated from one another and equipped with limited gear.
When did Alone first air?
The series premiered on June 18, 2015, on History.
How do contestants win Alone?
The contestant who remains in the competition the longest wins the season’s cash prize.
How much is the prize on Alone?
The prize was originally $500,000, and season 7 increased it to $1 million.
Is Alone filmed with camera crews?
No. Contestants self-document their experience, with no camera crews in the field.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alone_(TV_series)
    Supports: Premise, premiere date, prize amount, isolation format
  2. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/81271131
    Supports: Series description and reality-TV classification
  3. TV Guide — https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/alone/1000601898/
    Supports: Season count, format, and Vancouver Island setting
  4. ITV America — https://www.itv-america.com/portfolio/alone/
    Supports: Premiere date, season information, and Northern Saskatchewan setting
  5. HISTORY — https://www.history.com/shows/alone
    Supports: Official series description, format, and current season framing
  6. Hulu — https://www.hulu.com/series/alone-b1128cab-203f-4c29-bb9f-6548662926c7
    Supports: Streaming availability and episode count