Viewers Stand By 'Survivor'

NEW YORK Despite the controversy surrounding CBS’ decision to air an upcoming edition of Survivor in which teams are divided by race, a survey conducted by Interpublic Group’s Universal McCann found that only 17 percent of those claiming to be avid Survivor watchers were “personally offended” by the new format.

That said, nearly one-third of non-viewers said they found the format personally offensive.

Results of the survey, conducted earlier this month, were released just two days before the premiere of the new installment of the show, Survivor: Cook Islands, which will feature four competing teams divided by race (African American, Asian American, Hispanic and white).