Big Brother (American TV series)

Big Brother is an American reality competition television show based on the Dutch show of the same name created by producer John de Mol Jr. and Ron Diesel in 1997.<ref name="BB1Article">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name= "BB26Article">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="BBArticle">Template:Cite news</ref> The American series launched on July 5, 2000, on CBS and since the discontinuation of the Spanish version in 2022, is the longest-running adaptation in the Big Brother franchise.

The show broadly follows the premise of other versions, in which a group of contestants, known as "houseguests", live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world and compete for a cash prize of $750,000 ($500,000 prior to season 23). The houseguests are continuously monitored during their stay by live television cameras as well as personal audio microphones. Throughout the course of the competition, houseguests are "Evicted" from the House, eliminating them from the game.

In its inaugural season (which followed the original Dutch format in which audience voting determined evictees and the eventual winner), ratings declined, and critical reaction grew increasingly negative,<ref name="bigbrotherbashing"/> prompting the series to be revamped for the second season, which focused on competition and gameplay.<ref name="blur" />

The show's twenty-seventh season premiered on July 10, 2025, serving as the show's 25-year anniversary season.

Format

Template:Further Big Brother is a reality game show in which a group of contestants, known as houseguests, live in a custom-built residence—the Big Brother House— under constant video surveillance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> While the exact duration varies by season, seasons last approximately three months. Houseguests are isolated from the outside world, with no contact allowed except for medical emergencies or family crises.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The show is often regarded as a social experiment, requiring contestants to navigate relationships and conflicts with people from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and values.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Season 1

The first season mirrored the original Dutch version, focusing on the social experiment aspect with minimal competition.<ref name="bb1">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Houseguests did not compete for power or safety, and the nomination process was not discussed among them.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite episode</ref> The season received mixed reviews.<ref name="bigbrotherbashing">Template:Cite web</ref>

Challenges

Challenges were divided into "food," "tasks," and "live challenges". For most of the food challenges, each houseguest was required to wager a certain percentage of their allowance, up to 50%, to complete a certain objective. One competition was the "luxury challenge", where the winner received a golden ticket to the Primetime Emmy Awards.<ref name="Summary2"/>

Banishment

Every two weeks, houseguests secretly nominated two others for eviction in the "Red Room". The two houseguests with the most nomination votes were then "Marked for Banishment".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the event of a tie, three or more houseguests with the most nomination votes became nominated for eviction. The public voted to remove one of the nominated houseguests.<ref name="Summary2"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This process later switched to a weekly nomination system. The banished houseguest then had to immediately gather their belongings and walk out the front door.

Final vote

When three houseguests remained, the public vote decided the winner, who received $500,000, while the runners-up got $100,000 (2nd place) and $50,000 (3rd place).<ref name="Summary2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Season 2–present

After spending millions on the series,<ref name="bigbrotherbashing"/> CBS announced a second season with major format changes,<ref name="blur">Template:Cite web</ref> shifting the focus to competition and strategy, similar to Survivor.

The key change was that houseguests, not the public, decide who to remove (evict) from the game.<ref name="blur"/> In the new format, houseguests also compete for safety and power. The game continues in this format until its final day, in which a panel of evicted houseguests vote for the winner among two finalists. The winner receives $750,000 ($500,000 prior to season 23) while the runner-up receives $75,000 ($50,000 prior to season 23).<ref name="rachelreillywinning">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="chelsiewins">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Head of HouseholdTemplate:Anchor

File:BBUSHoH logo.png

Head of Household logo

The Head of Household (HOH) competition, introduced in season 2, is held at the beginning of each week.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The winner of the competition receives immunity from eviction and has the power to nominate two houseguests for eviction. They also receive other special privileges, including their own bedroom. The incumbent HOH is not allowed to compete in the following week's competition.<ref name="Pickard">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="format-ep2">Template:Cite episode</ref><ref name="format-ep3">Template:Cite episode</ref> Most competitions are either quiz-based,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> endurance-based,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or skill-based.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some competitions are finished during the live eviction broadcast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since season 26, the HOH has nominated three houseguests for eviction rather than two; the three nominees then compete in a Big Brother Block Buster challenge whose winner is saved from eviction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Power of VetoTemplate:Anchor

Power of Veto symbol, used since the show's third season

The Power of Veto (POV) competition, introduced in season 3, takes place after the HOH competition.<ref name="realityintimacy" /> Six houseguests compete in the POV competition: the HOH, two nominees, and three other houseguests.Template:Refn Before the start of each POV competition, the HOH and the two eviction nominees select three additional houseguests for the competition.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The winner of the POV competition has the power to either save one nominee from risk of eviction,<ref name="realityintimacy" /> or leave the HOH's original nominations intact.<ref name="realityblurred1">Template:Cite web</ref> The veto meeting is the formal setting in which the winning POV holder announces their decision.<ref name="realityintimacy">Template:Cite book</ref>

During season 3, the power was known as the Silver Power of Veto and did not allow a nominated houseguest to use the veto on themselves.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The final Power of Veto that season was the Golden Power of Veto, allowing a nominated houseguest to remove themselves from the nomination block.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Beginning in season 4, the Golden Power of Veto was made a permanent component of the game.<ref name="digitalspy1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Eviction

At the end of the week, all houseguests (except the HOH and the nominees) cast a vote for eviction. Broadcast live, houseguests enter the diary room one-by-one and privately cast their votes. Prior to season 10, houseguests' eviction votes were prerecorded, with the voting switching to a live phase about halfway through the game. The houseguest receiving a majority of the votes is evicted from the house. In the event of a tie, the HOH casts the deciding vote.<ref name="format-ep4">Template:Cite episode</ref>

A notable variant, called "double eviction", has been done in two forms. The first, dubbed Fast Forward Week, had week-long events occur in an accelerated format, with two houseguests evicted over the course of a week. The second, "Double Eviction Night", introduced in season 7, had the events of a traditional week occur over the course of a single live eviction episode. This event became a staple of the show. Season 22 introduced the Triple Eviction Night, with three houseguests being evicted in a similar manner.Template:Refn Season 27 revealed once an eviction vote is cast, it is official and cannot be rescinded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Another variant is Eviction Competition, as seen in seasons 14 and 18, in which houseguests compete in a series of competitions for survival in the house, and the houseguest who finished last may face automatic eviction.

Final three

The standard nomination process continues until there are three houseguests left. At this point, houseguests participate in the season's final HOH competition, which is divided into three rounds: the first is endurance-based, the second is skill-based, and the final is quiz-based. The winner of the first round automatically qualifies for final round, while the remaining houseguests compete in round two.<ref name="cbs.com">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The winner of round three casts the final eviction vote, choosing who to stand against for the jury's vote.<ref name="makensy">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Other competitions

The food and luxury competitions, which have been a staple of the show since the beginning, have also been adjusted to reflect the current game's format. Houseguests may compete in luxury competitions, with prizes including the opportunity to watch a film or a small cash prize.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Have-notsTemplate:Anchor

In the early seasons, the losers of a "have-not competition" would not be permitted to eat any food except peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Beginning in season 7, the losers were instead required to eat "slop", sleep in an uncomfortable have-not room, and take cold showers.<ref name="autogenerated2006">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Refn Since season 22, later weeks forego have-not competitions. Instead, either the current HOH or the previous have-not recipients decide the week's have-nots. Houseguests may be penalized for not following have-not rules, usually with a penalty vote for eviction,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> or in some cases, an additional day of have-not status.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Refn

JuryTemplate:Anchor

Seasons 2 and 3

In seasons 2 and 3, all evicted houseguests were part of the jury. Before the final vote, each evicted houseguest asked one question to the final two contestants, who could hear but not see the jury. The finalists then had the opportunity to make a final statement before the vote. Each evicted houseguest voted for the winner by choosing a gold key labeled with the chosen finalist's name. They placed their key into one of twelve slots on the voting box. After reuniting with the final two contestants in the house, the evictees revealed their choices, one by one. The houseguest with the most votes was declared the winner of Big Brother.

Season 4–present

Beginning in season 4, evicted houseguests were known as jurors. Jurors live in the sequestered "jury house", and are shown group events and competitions. Jurors are not shown contestant interviews or any other footage that may include strategy or details regarding nominations.

Prior to the finale, the jury is asked to agree on three questions for each of the final two houseguests. At the studio on finale night, the jurors question the finalists. After the questioning is complete, each of the two finalists make a final speech. Then, in order of eviction, each of the jurors secretly selects the key of the houseguest that they want to win. The host then pulls out the keys from the box, revealing whom each juror chose. The houseguest receiving the majority of votes is then declared the winner of Big Brother.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="taylorhale">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="chelsiewins" /><ref name="rachelreillywinning" />

America's Favorite Houseguest

Beginning in season 7, viewers have voted to determine the recipient of the "America's Favorite Houseguest".Template:Refn The winner receives a cash prize of $50,000 ($25,000 prior to season 23); the results are announced during the season finale.

History

The series was bought by CBS in early 2000 for an estimated $20 million.<ref name="time.com">Template:Cite news</ref> It officially premiered on July 5, 2000, with ten houseguests entering the house.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The series takes its name from the character in George Orwell's 1949 novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. Since 2001, as a result of a lawsuit settlement, Big Brother displays the following disclaimer in the end credits: "This program is not associated or affiliated with the Estate of George Orwell and is not based on the novel '1984'."Template:Citation needed

Julie Chen Moonves, seen here with Les Moonves, has hosted the series since its premiere.

Since its inception, the show has been hosted by Julie Chen Moonves. It is produced by Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment and Endemol Shine North America (formerly Endemol USA).<ref name="FutonPressRelease">Template:Cite web</ref> The series airs once a year, during the summer, except for the ninth season, which aired in the spring of 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Throughout its run, Big Brother has been criticized following reports of "HIB" (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> violence in the house, obscene language,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> breach of integrity,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the physical and mental strain of appearing on the series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Several seasons have also been criticized for racism and discrimination, most notably season 15 and season 21.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On September 9, 2018, Chen's husband, Les Moonves, resigned as President of CBS after a second wave of reports of sexual misconduct allegations against him. On September 13, Chen closed out that evening's episode by saying, "From outside the Big Brother house with Brett, I'm Julie Chen Moonves. Good night." As Chen had previously never used Moonves professionally, many saw the move as Chen standing in solidarity with her husband.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following her resignation from The Talk on September 18 after eight years as co-host, there was speculation on whether Chen would continue as host of Big Brother. Chen did return to host the following year, and has become increasingly spiritual and religious on and off the program in the wake of such revelations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Beginning with the 2021–2022 broadcast season, CBS mandated that its reality shows' casts were at least 50% BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Big Brother was nominated for Best Competition Show at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Series overview

{{#section-h:Lists of Big Brother (American TV series) episodes|Series overview}}

Broadcast

A view of Radford Studio Center sound stage 18, where the house is located

Since its launch in the United States, Big Brother has aired on CBS.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The show is simulcast in Canada on Global.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Seasons 4 and 9 aired in the United Kingdom.<ref name="digitalspy.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

The first season featured six episodes per week, though all future installments would air three nights per week.<ref name="finalthree">Template:Cite web</ref> Of these three episodes, the weekly eviction episode is the only one that is live, and the only to feature host Julie Chen Moonves. This show generally airs on Thursdays.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series typically airs once per year during the summer; season 9 aired during the spring.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Big Brother was the last prime-time show to transition to high-definition television: the first 15 seasons aired in standard definition, with season 16 being the first to be produced in HDTV.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The live feeds were not broadcast in HD until season 17.Template:Citation needed

Seasons 3 and 4 were released on DVD. Beginning with season 7, seasons are available for purchase on digital retail sites.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>Template:Better source needed With season 15, TVGN (now Pop) began airing reruns of the series, making it the first season to be aired following its premiere; this continued with the 16th season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All seasons of Big Brother are available on Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access).

Live feeds

A major aspect of Big Brother is the live feeds, in which viewers can view the contestants inside the house.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Feeds are shut off during the weekly nomination ceremony, Power of Veto ceremony, competitions, and evictions for that week; this is to provide suspense for the series.<ref name="Futon2">Template:Cite web</ref> Slanderous statements and singing of copyrighted music may be blocked for legal reasons.<ref name="Feeds">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Real">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Futon">Template:Cite press release</ref>

During the first season, access to live feeds was free, hosted by AOL on the show's official site.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Beginning with the second season, a paid subscription has been required to access the live feeds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From season 2–14, live feeds were available through RealNetworks either as a subscription or as a free addition for Gold members.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Since 2016, the live feeds have aired on CBS All Access (known as Paramount+ since March 2021).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2023, the live feeds launched on Pluto TV with commercials, marking the first time they have been offered for free since the first season.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Companion shows

From 2004 to 2008, Big Brother aired the companion web series House Calls: The Big Brother Talk Show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The series, which lasted for thirty minutes and aired on weeknights, allowed fans to call in and discuss the events of the game.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> House Calls was the first live internet talk show produced exclusively for a television network.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During its first two seasons, House Calls was hosted by Gretchen Massey and season 3 houseguest Marcellas Reynolds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Beginning with the show's third season, different co-hosts were featured on the series each day.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During the fifth and sixth seasons, each co-host was given a designated day of the week to host alongside Gretchen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following sixth season of House Calls, it was confirmed that the show would not be renewed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Big Brother: After Dark debuted in 2007, airing nightly on Showtime 2 from 12:00Template:Spacesa.m.–3:00Template:Spacesa.m.Template:SpacesET.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2013, it was moved to TVGN (now Pop), where it remained until 2019.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Former houseguest Jeff Schroeder began hosting the Big Brother: Live Chat online discussion show in 2012, where he interviewed houseguests both before they entered the house and following their evictions. He also performed post-finale backyard interviews with the cast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On August 10, 2017, Schroeder announced that he was moving to Colorado and would no longer be able to do the interviews.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

For season 20, the Live Chat was replaced by Off the Block with Ross and Marissa. Hosted by former Celebrity Big Brother houseguests Marissa Jaret Winokur and Ross Mathews, the show aired on Fridays on Facebook following the live eviction.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

For season 27, CBS announced Big Brother: Unlocked. Airing bi-weekly on CBS, Unlocked is hosted by former Big Brother winners Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur along with a rotating guest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The show features gameplay analysis by the hosts as well as additional footage not included on the regular Big Brother broadcast.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Spin-offs

Template:Further There have been three spin-offs of Big Brother. In October 2016, CBS premiered Big Brother: Over the Top, as an original series for CBS All Access. Unlike the flagship television version, it was broadcast exclusively online (over-the-top) with a shorter, ten-week season.<ref name="BB19 Fall">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Deadline1">Template:Cite web</ref>

The second spin-off, Celebrity Big Brother, aired its first season on CBS on February 7, 2018.<ref name="cbspress-celebrity">Template:Cite press release</ref><ref name="CBBFeb">Template:Cite web</ref> Its second season aired in 2019, and its third season aired in 2022.

Big Brother Reindeer Games, a holiday-themed spin-off, aired in December 2023. It had six episodes, broadcast over two weeks. The season, featuring nine returning players, was entirely pre-taped and did not have live feeds. Julie Chen Moonves did not host Reindeer Games.<ref name="Seemayer">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of Big Brother (American TV series) houseguests
• The Glass House
• Opposite Worlds
• Love Island
• The Truman Show

External links

• Template:Official website
• Big Brother's Canadian Website at GlobalTV.com
• Template:IMDb title