The new 24/7 live streaming version of Big Brother is set to premiere imminently, and CBS All Access has revealed the schedule and the cast for the new series. One cast member is still a mystery, because an online vote will determine the final housemate.
One of the most interesting live digital viewing experiences of recent times is about to commence, as CBS All Access begins the 10-week series Big Brother OTT (stands for "over the top"). The all-digital version of one of the broadcast network's most popular shows is pulling out all the stops to get viewers to sign up for CBS' digital streaming service, which is the only way viewers can access the new series.
The new schedule has revealed how the series will play out each week. While the 24/7 live feeds will of course allow viewers to watch the housemates at all hours, there will be just one traditional full episode each week, at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesdays, followed by the live eviction at 11 p.m. ET, and the live head of household competition at midnight.
On Thursdays, host Julie Chen will conduct a question and answer session with the housemates, as well as an interview with the evicted housemate from the day before. The other weekdays will each feature a 30-minute recap of the events of the day, also at 10 p.m. ET, while weekends will feature revelations as to which housemates are nominated and who are safe.
The first 12 members of the Big Brother OTT cast appear to be a similar set of characters to the ones expected from the usual broadcast series. So far there are seven females, two of which are sisters, and five males, with the houseguests ranging from ages 21 to 41.
One more male cast member has yet to be revealed, however, and that's because the producers have decided to allow America to vote in one former houseguest from a previous series, whose time was cut short.
The two contestants for the last spot are last season's Jozea Flores, who famously deemed himself the "Big Brother Messiah", and flamboyant Jason Roy from the prior season. The winner will be revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 28 premiere.
Another big revelation about Big Brother OTT is that America will also get the opportunity to pick the winner via an online vote, as opposed to the broadcast series, where the victor is chosen by former housemates. CBS is clearly attempting to create a truly interactive digital experience in which viewers have extensive control over the events on the program.
As a result, the victor this time may hinge on personality and popularity as opposed to strategic game play, as it does in many international versions of Big Brother, such as that of the UK.
While fans of the show will have to cough up the $5.99 monthly All Access subscription fee (or $9.99 for the limited advertising tier) in order to watch, CBS is still offering a one-week free trial of the service, hoping viewers will get and stay hooked enough to ultimately join.
