As the weather becomes warmer, it’s a tradition for Big Brother fans to lie in wait, eagerly anticipating when the latest season will arrive. And, with an announcement today from CBS, they’ll have a lot to look forward to when the summer reality series returns for its 25th anniversary season, including weekly 90-minute episodes and a brand-new biweekly alumni panel series.
In a press release, the network revealed that Big Brother 27 will premiere with a 90-minute episode on Thursday, July 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. The opener will be followed by a 90-minute Sunday edition on July 13, as we get to know the new group of houseguests and possibly find out more about the first twists of the summer.
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However, these extended episodes will not be an abnormality from the schedule as they have been in the past. That’s because, for the first time in Big Brother history, Season 27 will have a weekly 90-minute episode. Starting July 16, the typical Wednesday episodes will be extended to an hour and a half, running from 8:00 to 9:30. Big Brother joins its CBS reality TV contemporaries in Survivor and The Amazing Race, which have been airing 90-minute episodes on Wednesday nights since fall 2023. The typical Sunday and Thursday episodes will remain with a one-hour runtime, both scheduled to air at 8:00.
Related: Read our interview with Big Brother 26 winner Chelsie Baham
After a houseguest is evicted on Thursday, squashing their dreams for the $750,000 prize, fans can look forward to a brand-new show to tide them over until the end of the weekend when the next new episode rolls around. Big Brother: Unlocked, according to the press release, will feature “three BB All-Stars [offering] never-before-seen broadcast footage from the house, exclusive interviews, surprise guest appearances and unprecedented behind-the-scenes access. Former Houseguests share firsthand insight and expertise as they analyze gameplay, assess the competition and give their insider’s perspective.”
Further details have not been given about Big Brother: Unlocked. However, it’s possible the format could be adapted from the one-off alumni special done last year. In it, previous winners Jag Bains, Taylor Hale and Cody Calafiore talked through the events of the drama-packed first month of Big Brother 26, offering their own perspective from their respective record-breaking runs on the show. The show will premiere on July 25 and air every other Friday, with episodes dropping at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 5, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26.
The press release from CBS confirms that Big Brother 27 will feature an “all-new group of Houseguests,” quelling this year’s edition of the consistent preseason rumor of returning players. Additionally, while the network did not announce the season length, or a finale date, the fact that Big Brother: Unlocked is scheduled to end on Sept. 26 may indicate that Season 27 will crown its champ in late September or early October.
Related: ‘Survivor’ Season 48: Everything We Know So Far (Including Who’s Been Voted Out)
