Jeff Probst explains the origins of theSurvivor: Winners at War$2 million prize

That was incentive enough to draw back many winnersJeff Probst worriedwould not return to play again.

How did a prize amount twice as nice come to pass?

“The $2 million prize was all CBS, says the host and showrunner.

And we beatFriendsin the ratings and his career was really made in that moment.

He’s been invested inSurvivorforever.

And he has given us free rein to do what we want for a long time.

And this season he said, ‘Can you attempt to make winners happen?

And can we give them a $2 million prize?'”

Probst’s initial reaction to that request may surprise you.

They’re still going to say yes.’

And he looked at me like, ‘Clearly you’ve lost track of life.

It’s another million dollars!'"

It was a brilliant idea.

All I’m going to do is sit and watch it all play out."

This time, he was right.

Watch the video at the top of the post to see Probst talk about the $2 million prize.