Big Brother (American TV series)#Main edition

{{Further|Big Brother (franchise)#Premise}}

File:BigBrotherHouseUSA.jpg sound stage 18, where the house is located]]

Big Brother is a reality game show in which a group of contestants (referred to as "HouseGuests"), live in a custom-built house (The "Big Brother House") for three straight months under constant video surveillance;{{Cite web |title=Big Brother at CBS Studio City |url=http://www.videopark.com/bb.htm |website=Video Park |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220103345/http://www.videopark.com/bb.htm |archive-date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=December 20, 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Braxton |first=Greg |date=September 11, 2000 |title='Big Brother' Guests Threaten Walkout |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-sep-11-ca-19025-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114012436/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/sep/11/entertainment/ca-19025 |archive-date=November 14, 2013}} the actual number of days depends on any given season. While in the House, the HouseGuests are completely isolated from the rest of the real world (The "Outside World"), without any contact with those not in the House;{{Cite web |date=August 13, 2014 |title=How much does he make outside 'Big Brother'? |url=http://www.bustle.com/articles/35605-how-much-does-cody-calafiore-make-outside-of-the-big-brother-house-its-more-than-youd |website=Bustle |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811031739/https://www.bustle.com/articles/35605-how-much-does-cody-calafiore-make-outside-of-the-big-brother-house-its-more-than-youd |archive-date=August 11, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} this rule could be bypassed in the event of a medical injury, a family emergency, or the death of a relative.{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2014 |title='Big Brother': Derrick Lavasseur's Grandpa Dies |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/2014/07/27/big-brother-derrick-lavasseur-grandpa-dies-death-after-frankie-grande/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506181910/https://hollywoodlife.com/2014/07/27/big-brother-derrick-lavasseur-grandpa-dies-death-after-frankie-grande/ |archive-date=May 6, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Hollywood Life}} The format of the series is viewed as a social experiment that requires HouseGuests to interact with others who may have differing ideals, beliefs, and prejudices.{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Cahal |date=August 1, 2000 |title=Psychologists in trouble for 'Big Brother' |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/psychologists-in-trouble-for-big-brother-711122.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218141109/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/psychologists-in-trouble-for-big-brother-711122.html |archive-date=December 18, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Morris |first=Desmond |date=September 15, 2000 |title=The day of reckoning |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/sep/15/bigbrother.tvandradio |website=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113214101/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/sep/15/bigbrother.tvandradio |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}

Although the HouseGuests compete with one another, the series allows viewers to witness the relationships formed in the House ("Showmances") and the behavior of the HouseGuests.{{Cite web |date=July 27, 2001 |title=Why I... think Big Brother is more than a game show |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/why-i-think-big-brother-is-more-than-a-game-show/164059.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904152608/https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/why-i-think-big-brother-is-more-than-a-game-show/164059.article |archive-date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Times Higher Education}}{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=September 2, 2022 |title=Kyle Capener reacts to his behavior in Big Brother house: 'I own it' |url=https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-kyle-capener-interview/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902164233/https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-kyle-capener-interview/ |archive-date=September 2, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2025}} As of October 2024, there have been a total of 69 Showmances formed in the House; 10 of them that are still ongoing to date later took their relationships into the Outside World once a Big Brother season ended.{{refn|group=note|Of those 10 ongoing real-life Showmances, only two of them were formed outside of the show.{{cite web |last=Hautman |first=Nicholas |date=September 8, 2017 |title='Big Brother' Alums Nicole Franzel and Victor Arroyo Confirm They're Dating |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/big-brothers-nicole-franzel-victor-arroyo-are-dating-w501946/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116063638/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/big-brothers-nicole-franzel-victor-arroyo-are-dating-w501946/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=February 11, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Tharp |first=Sharon |date=October 14, 2021 |title=Big Brother 23's Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss Are Dating: 'We Really Connected in the Jury House' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-23s-derek-xiao-and-claire-rehfuss-are-dating/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014190053/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-23s-derek-xiao-and-claire-rehfuss-are-dating/ |archive-date=October 14, 2021 |access-date=February 7, 2025}}}}{{cite web |last=Longeretta |first=Emily |date=February 7, 2018 |title='Big Brother' Showmances Through the Years |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-showmances-through-the-years/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311141744/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/big-brother-showmances-through-the-years/ |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |access-date=February 6, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Julie |author-link=Julie Chen |date=August 30, 2013 |title=Big Brother - Big Brother Couples |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn3Fwv-TBdk |format=video |website=YouTube |publisher=Big Brother |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407233806/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hn3Fwv-TBdk |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Hautman |first=Nicholas |date=September 7, 2018 |title='Big Brother' Alums Victor Arroyo and Nicole Franzel Are Engaged |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/big-brothers-victor-arroyo-nicole-franzel-are-engaged/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116063641/https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/big-brothers-victor-arroyo-nicole-franzel-are-engaged/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=February 11, 2025}}{{cite magazine |last=Gagale |first=Jibril |date=September 9, 2018 |title=Big Brother 20 recap: A surprise engagement brings the houseguests closer to reality |url=https://ew.com/recap/big-brother-20-recap-surprise-engagement/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180910055005/https://ew.com/recap/big-brother-20-recap-surprise-engagement/ |archive-date=September 10, 2018 |access-date=September 10, 2018}}{{cite web |last=Vulpo |first=Mike |date=July 16, 2024 |title=Big Brother's Cory Wurtenberger and America Lopez Share Update on Their Showmance 1 Year Later (Exclusive) |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/big-brothers-cory-wurtenberger-america-lopez-give-relationship-update/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716212439/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/big-brothers-cory-wurtenberger-america-lopez-give-relationship-update/ |archive-date=July 16, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Vulpo |first=Mike |date=November 29, 2024 |title=Big Brother's Tucker and Rubina Confirm Their Romance Is 'Better Than Ever' After Finale (Exclusive) |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/big-brothers-tucker-and-rubina-share-relationship-update/ |website=Us Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241130021910/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/big-brothers-tucker-and-rubina-share-relationship-update/ |archive-date=November 30, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2025}}{{cite web |author=Jerrica |date=December 5, 2024 |title=Big Brother 26's Matt and Makensy Confirm Romantic Relationship |url=https://bigbrothernetwork.com/big-brother-26s-matt-and-makensy-confirm-romantic-relationship/ |website=Big Brother Network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223205207/https://bigbrothernetwork.com/big-brother-26s-matt-and-makensy-confirm-romantic-relationship/ |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=February 12, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Vulpo |first=Mike |date=January 30, 2025 |title=Big Brother's Matt Hardeman and Makensy Manbeck Share Rare Look Inside Their Romance (Exclusive) |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/big-brothers-matt-hardeman-makensy-manbeck-share-relationship-update/ |website=Us Weekly |access-date=February 6, 2025}}

While locked inside the House, the HouseGuests are free to leave the game for any unforeseen reason ("Walking"),{{Cite web |title='Big Brother' reveals Neil Garcia departure, leaves details unexplained |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-reveals-neil-garcia-departure-leaves-details-unexplained-6583.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211083148/https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-reveals-neil-garcia-departure-leaves-details-unexplained-6583.php |archive-date=December 11, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Reality TV World}} though they will not be allowed re-entry; as of September 2022, only four HouseGuests have left the game over the course of its history.{{refn|group=note|Season 8 winner "Evel" Dick Donato was the lone exception; although he left the game early in Season 13 due to being HIV-positive, he did make an surprise appearance on that season's final night.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}}} Although this has rarely occurred, should any of the HouseGuests break the rules of the game, they are immediately removed from the House ("Getting expelled") and barred from return;{{Cite web |author=CBS News / AP |date=August 18, 2009 |title="Big Brother" Addresses Chima's Expulsion |website=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/big-brother-addresses-chimas-expulsion/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029015228/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/big-brother-addresses-chimas-expulsion/ |archive-date=October 29, 2014}}{{Cite web |title=Why Was Willie Hantz Expelled from Big Brother 14? |url=http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/big-brother/why-was-willie-hantz-expelled/17142/#_is=1a6hek5obsfs3vn610kvqkjre4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028214003/http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/big-brother/why-was-willie-hantz-expelled/17142/#_is=1a6hek5obsfs3vn610kvqkjre4 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Reality Nation}} as of November 2023, only five expulsions have occurred throughout the history of the show.{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=August 17, 2023 |title=Luke Valentine says Big Brother 'made the wrong decision' expelling him |url=https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-luke-valentine-racial-slur-reaction/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817194135/https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-luke-valentine-racial-slur-reaction/ |archive-date=August 17, 2023 |access-date=February 6, 2025}}

File:International Logo of Big Brother.png

The premiere season resembled the original Dutch version of the show — a format adapted by most versions.{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=April 20, 2022 |title=Revisiting the surreal fever dream that was Big Brother season 1 |url=https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-season-1-rewatch/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220420170900/https://ew.com/tv/big-brother-season-1-rewatch/ |archive-date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=February 6, 2025}} Because it emphasized the social experiment aspects of the premise, the competitive aspects were minimized: HouseGuests did not compete for power or safety, and the nominations process were not discussed by the HouseGuests.{{Cite news |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=July 5, 2000 |title=Realer than 'Real World': 'Big Brother' drama begins |work=The Seattle Times |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/20000705/4030241/realer-than-real-world-big-brother-drama-begins |url-status=live |access-date=September 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028223354/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20000705&slug=4030241 |archive-date=October 28, 2014}}{{Cite episode |title=BB1 Ep. #1 |series=Big Brother |series-link=Big Brother 1 (American season) |date=July 5, 2000 |season=1 |number=1}}

The first season received negative reactions from both critics and viewers.{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=January 11, 2001 |title=the casting sucked, and more Big Brother bashing–and some praise! |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/01/big-brother-1-the_casting_sucked/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410124709/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/01/big-brother-1-the_casting_sucked/ |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=reality blurred}}

All competitions used in the first season were referred to as "challenges" in which all of the HouseGuests had to take part. Those competitions were divided up into three groups: "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.

There was also a "luxury challenge" that occurred in its 11th week, in which the HouseGuest who finds a lucky golden ticket would then be whisked away to attend the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Every two weeks, each HouseGuest participated in a mandatory vote called Nomination, which decided a list of HouseGuests that are eligible to be put up for eviction. One at a time, the HouseGuests entered the "Red Room" (later called the "Diary Room" but also known as the "Confession Room" in other international versions) and secretly nominated two of the others, providing full reasons for their nominations;{{Cite web |title=AOL bags internet rights to Big Brother |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/aol-bags-internet-rights-to-big-brother/1195921.article |website=Broadcast |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113232950/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/aol-bags-internet-rights-to-big-brother/1195921.article |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} the two HouseGuests with the most nomination votes were then put up for eviction (also known on-air as "Marked for Banishment"). In the event of a tie, three or more HouseGuests with the most nomination votes became nominated for eviction. Towards the end of the season, the nomination process was changed to a weekly process.

After the nominations were finalized, the American public then had the opportunity to decide which HouseGuest should be evicted ("banished") through televoting, which lasted over the course of a full week. The HouseGuest with the most votes from the public was then declared evicted from the House (or, in other words, eliminated from the game).{{Cite web |date=March 1, 2013 |title=Big Brother USA and Canada format explained |url=http://www.bbspy.co.uk/bb14/features/0301/how-big-brother-canada-works-usa-america |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630070345/http://www.bbspy.co.uk/bb14/features/0301/how-big-brother-canada-works-usa-america |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BBSpy}} The evictee then had to immediately gather its belongings before walking out the front door.

When there were three HouseGuests left, the final vote was changed to determine the winner. The HouseGuest with the most public votes from that point won the $500,000 prize, while the runners-up left with $100,000 (for 2nd place) and $50,000 (for 3rd place) respectively.{{Cite web |title=ATTWX's Big Brother 1 |url=http://attwx.com/bb1.shtml |website=ATTWX |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302225210/http://attwx.com/bb1.shtml |archive-date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}

File:Big Brother (U.S. TV Series) Logo.png

Having spent millions on the series, CBS announced a second season of the series with major changes occurring to the format,{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=May 29, 2001 |title=Big Brother 2: audience won't vote; Julie Chen will return as host. |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/05/big-brother-2-big_brother_2_audience/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926014554/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/05/big-brother-2-big_brother_2_audience/ |archive-date=September 26, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=reality blurred}} putting more emphasis on competition and strategy bearing resemblance to another one of its shows, Survivor.

All aspects of the game remained the same. However, instead of having the American public decide on which HouseGuest to evict, the HouseGuests themselves now do the honors of evicting one another; unlike other international versions of Big Brother, the HouseGuests can now discuss the nominations and evictions openly and freely, resulting in the formation of small strategic groups ("Alliances"). HouseGuests also get to compete for safety and power during their stay in the House. As is the case in season 1, the game continues in this current format until it reaches its final day ("Finale Night") in which a panel of evicted HouseGuests (the "Big Brother Jury") vote on which of the two finalists will be crowned the winner; the last HouseGuest remaining receives the grand prize, in cash, of $750,000 ($500,000 prior to season 23) while the runner-up receives a consolation prize, also in cash, of $75,000 ($50,000 prior to season 23).

The Head of Household competition, introduced in season 2, is held at the beginning of each week and is most often occurred during the live eviction episode, unless otherwise specified.{{Cite news |date=July 20, 2012 |title='Big Brother': A House Divided, A New Head of Household, And The First Live Eviction (VIDEO) |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/big-brother-house-divided-new-hoh-eviction-video_n_1688390.html |website=The Huffington Post |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219001147/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/big-brother-house-divided-new-hoh-eviction-video_n_1688390.html |archive-date=December 19, 2013}} The winner of the H.O.H. competition receives immunity from eviction as well as special privileges such as their own personal bedroom, free laundry service and, most importantly, the power to nominate two HouseGuests for the upcoming eviction. However, the incumbent H.O.H. is not allowed to compete in the following week's competition, meaning that a HouseGuest cannot hold the title for a second consecutive week, except for the final week or any other stated circumstances.{{Cite news |last=Pickard |first=Ann |date=August 19, 2009 |title=Why is Big Brother so big in the US? |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/aug/19/why-big-brother-big-us |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413061301/https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/aug/19/why-big-brother-big-us |archive-date=April 13, 2020}}{{Cite episode |title=Episode Two |series=Big Brother |date=July 12, 2009 |season=11 |number=2 |minutes=35:57}}{{Cite episode |title=Episode Three |series=Big Brother |date=July 14, 2009 |season=11 |number=3 |minutes=39:20}}

Most often, the first Head of Household competition will require HouseGuests to participate either in pairs or in teams.{{Cite web |date=July 5, 2007 |title=TV Recap: Big Brother 8 – Premiere |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/TV-Recap-Big-Brother-8-Premiere-5072.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015144407/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/TV-Recap-Big-Brother-8-Premiere-5072.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |publisher=Cinema Blend}} While seasons 4, 5 and 8 had the HouseGuests competing in pairs,{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2009 |title=ATTWX's Big Brother 5 |url=http://attwx.com/bb5.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724193428/http://attwx.com/bb5.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=ATTWX}} seasons 6, 7, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 16 all saw them competing as a group.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2012 |title='Big Brother 14' Premiere Recap: Welcome Back to the House |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-premiere-recap-46486.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132401/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-premiere-recap-46486.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |title='Big Brother 12' – HoH No. 1 Season Premiere Recap |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2010/07/09/big-brother-12-hoh-1-season-premiere-recap/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213230856/http://www.aoltv.com/2010/07/09/big-brother-12-hoh-1-season-premiere-recap/ |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=AOL}}

The live Head of Household competitions are typically quiz-based, and will see HouseGuests eliminated in each round.{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2006 |title=Big Brother All-Stars: "Nakomis Goes Homis" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/21/big-brother-all-stars-nakomis-goes-homis-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101435/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/21/big-brother-all-stars-nakomis-goes-homis-review |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=IGN}} Competitions such as "Majority Rules" have been used numerous times, with the game being played in seasons 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12;{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2009 |title=ATTWX's Big Brother 6 |url=http://attwx.com/bb6.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724193620/http://attwx.com/bb6.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=ATTWX}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother 8: First Eviction Episode, Live Results |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-8-first-eviction-e-8195.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108094547/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-8-first-eviction-e-8195.aspx |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} a variation of the competition was used in season 7.{{Cite web |title=Big Brother All Stars Results – Alison Evicted, Julie Chen Makes Mistake Announcing HOH | Reality TV Magazine |url=http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2006/07/13/big-brother-all-stars-results-%E2%80%93-alison-evicted-julie-chen-makes-mistake-announcing-hoh/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214045825/http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2006/07/13/big-brother-all-stars-results-%E2%80%93-alison-evicted-julie-chen-makes-mistake-announcing-hoh/ |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=She Knows}}

Some competitions will attempt to cause drama in the house, such as "En Garde", in which the winner of each round selected the next two players to face off against one another.{{Cite web |title=Big Brother 8: Episode 16, Live Eviction Results |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-8-episode-16-live-9225.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108094547/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-8-episode-16-live-9225.aspx |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} This competition was later used in seasons 10–16.{{Cite web |date=July 29, 2010 |title='Big Brother 12' Live Recap: Week 3 Eviction and Another Huge Power Shift |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-live-recap-week-37726.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213134028/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-live-recap-week-37726.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |title='Big Brother 13': Brendon leaves, Rachel cries, a new Head of Household |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/08/big-brother-13-brendon-leaves-rachel-cries-a-new-head-of-household.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132402/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2011/08/big-brother-13-brendon-leaves-rachel-cries-a-new-head-of-household.html |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Zap2It}}

Various competitions throughout the season will be endurance, requiring HouseGuests to be the last one remaining. Endurance competitions are often held after game changing announcements, such as when a previously evicted HouseGuest returns.{{Cite web |last=John Powell |date=August 16, 2002 |title=Marathon 'Big Brother' contest ends on Net |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/B/Big_Brother_3/2004/12/10/777084.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410025649/http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/B/Big_Brother_3/2004/12/10/777084.html |archive-date=April 10, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=JAM! Showbiz}} Various endurance competitions may have punished or rewarded HouseGuests who either fall off first or last.{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2010 |title='Big Brother 12' Live Recap: Week 2 Eviction and a New HoH |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-live-recap-week-37654.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723050336/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-live-recap-week-37654.aspx |archive-date=July 23, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2006 |title=Big Brother All-Stars: "Buh-Bye Di, Evicted 7–1" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/04/big-brother-all-stars-buh-bye-di-evicted-7-1-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101438/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/08/04/big-brother-all-stars-buh-bye-di-evicted-7-1-review |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=IGN}}

Skill-based competitions also appear frequently throughout the season, some of which may last for numerous hours.{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2009 |title='Big Brother 11' Live Thoughts: Up, Up and Away (to the Jury House) |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-11-live-thoughts-w-30803.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132409/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-11-live-thoughts-w-30803.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} Skill competitions, such as the "Big Brother Open" in season 13, are finished during the live eviction broadcast.{{cite web |author= |date=July 22, 2011 |title=Big Brother: First Eviction! |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/60879/ |website=CBS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212211300/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/60879/ |archive-date=December 12, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013}}

When there are only three HouseGuests left, they get to participate in the season's final Head of Household competition, which is divided into three rounds: the first is endurance-based, the second is skill-based (often with a memory component), and the final is quiz-based (usually narrated by the evicted HouseGuests).{{Cite web |title=Big Brother Season 12 Episode 30 |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/46899 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005225901/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/46899/ |archive-date=October 5, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=CBS}}{{Cite web |date=September 17, 2012 |title='Big Brother 14' By-the-Numbers: Male Domination and More All-Time Records |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-by-the-numbers-47491.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719103234/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-by-the-numbers-47491.aspx |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} The winners of the first two rounds then get to participate in the final round; the winner there not only secures a spot in the Final Two, as well as being guaranteed at least the second place cash prize, but also gets to cast the sole eviction vote on one of the remaining two HouseGuests, since those two are nominated by default, automatically leaving the other in the House to prepare for a meeting with the Jury.{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=October 14, 2024 |title=Big Brother star Makensy Manbeck stands by shocking finale decision |url=https://ew.com/big-brother-makensy-manbeck-stands-by-shocking-finale-decision-interview-8727041 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120175723/https://ew.com/big-brother-makensy-manbeck-stands-by-shocking-finale-decision-interview-8727041 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2025}}

Since season 11, it is now common for the Final Three HouseGuests to reach Finale Night, with the winners of the first two rounds of the competition going head-to-head in the final round which occurs live on that night.

One of the Head of Household's most important duties is to nominate two HouseGuests that will be put up for eviction; every Nomination Ceremony takes place at the Dining Room table. This nomination process continues until there are three HouseGuests left.

Originally, the H.O.H. placed the keys of the HouseGuests who were safe into the Nomination Box, a circular device with numbered key slots, then placed the keys of the remaining two that would be nominated into a small box located in its suite. At the start of the Nomination Ceremony, the H.O.H. places the Nomination Box onto a flat spinning device called the Lazy Susan and proceeded to pull out the first key, revealing the name of the first HouseGuest who is safe. The Lazy Susan is then spun to that HouseGuest who then places its key around its neck and then pulled out the next key. This process continued until all the keys were pulled out of the box, in which the two remaining HouseGuests that are keyless were then declared by the H.O.H. nominated for eviction.

The nomination process was simplified beginning in season 16;{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} the H.O.H. places the keys of the two chosen nominees onto a smaller Nomination Box, and then, at the Nomination Ceremony, turns those keys to the left revealing the photos of the nominees that appear on the Memory Wall.

In the case of Double Eviction Night, the H.O.H. simply names the two nominees at the Living Room by word-of-mouth.

Some seasons also featured special competitions or other ways of nomination (usually because of twists) that can accommodate three or four nominated HouseGuests.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

File:Big Brother PoV sign.png

The Power of Veto competition, introduced in season 3, occurs two days after the previous Head of Household competition and adds an unpredictable twist to the show's carefully managed nomination process, altering strategic alignments and heightening viewer suspense. The winner of this competition receives the power to either remove one nominee from eviction, significantly altering the strategic landscape of the game, or leave the Head of Household's original choices intact.{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=July 15, 2002 |title=Gerry wins veto power. |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_3/2002_Jul_15_gerry_wins_veto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214032155/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_3/2002_Jul_15_gerry_wins_veto |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Reality Blurred}} This process continues until there are three HouseGuests left.

During its first season of use, it was originally known as the "Silver Power of Veto" but it did not allow a nominated HouseGuest to use it on themselves;{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2002 |title=Big Brother – Season 3, Episode 3: BB3 Ep #3: Gerry Wins Veto |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb3-ep-3-gerry-wins-veto-176119/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017030019/http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb3-ep-3-gerry-wins-veto-176119/ |archive-date=October 17, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=TV.com}} the final Power of Veto that season was the "Golden Power of Veto" and that power allowed a nominated HouseGuest to remove themselves from the block.{{Cite magazine |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=September 16, 2002 |title=Marcellas explains his lust and picks the final winner |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/09/16/marcellas-explains-his-lust-and-picks-final-winner/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902165656/http://www.ew.com/article/2002/09/16/marcellas-explains-his-lust-and-picks-final-winner |archive-date=September 2, 2015}} The Golden Power of Veto was later made permanent to use in all future competitions in subsequent seasons, beginning in season 4.{{Cite web |date=July 12, 2003 |title=Dana wins Power of Veto competition |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s69/big-brother-usa/news/a51474/dana-wins-power-of-veto-competition.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214064308/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s69/big-brother-usa/news/a51474/dana-wins-power-of-veto-competition.html |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Digital Spy}}{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2009 |title=ATTWX's Big Brother 4 |url=http://attwx.com/bb4.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724192624/http://attwx.com/bb4.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=ATTXW}}

Power of Veto competitions differ drastically from the Head of Household competitions, with competitions being more skill-based in nature.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2009 |title=ATTWX's Big Brother 12 |url=http://attwx.com/bb12.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130724192857/http://attwx.com/bb12.shtml |archive-date=July 24, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=ATTWX}} Competitions such as "Pop Goes the Veto!", which required HouseGuests to find letter tiles and spell the longest word, have been used in numerous consecutive seasons.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2009 |title='Big Brother 11' Week 1 Power of Veto Recap (Page 1/3) |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-11-week-1-power-of-29991.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106050137/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-11-week-1-power-of-29991.aspx |archive-date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother: The Athletes Continue to Dominate the House |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/25978/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701143751/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/25978/ |archive-date=July 1, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=CBS}}

Various competitions, such as "Big Brother Boardwalk", which saw HouseGuests attempt to guess how much of an item there is, do not require HouseGuests to compete in a physical-based competition.{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2008 |title=Big Brother 9: Week 8 Power of Veto, Live Thoughts |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-8-power-of-18173.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132359/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-8-power-of-18173.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother: A Huge Fight Breaks Out; A Nail-Biter PoV Competition Changes One houseguest's Destiny – on |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/5872/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102074559/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/5872 |archive-date=November 2, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=CBS}}

Other competitions, such as "How Bad Do You Want It?" in season 7, saw HouseGuests taking punishments in exchange for advancing;{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2006 |title=Big Brother – Season 7, Episode 8: BB7 – All-Stars: 708: George Wins PoV; Jase Nominated |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb7-all-stars-708-george-wins-pov-jase-nominated-828938/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008094123/http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb7-all-stars-708-george-wins-pov-jase-nominated-828938/ |archive-date=October 8, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=TV.com}} variations of this competition have been used in numerous subsequent seasons.{{Cite web |date=August 6, 2007 |title=Tex's Take: BB8 Week 5 Power of Veto Spoilers |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/texs-take-bb8-week-5-power-of-9091.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132320/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/texs-take-bb8-week-5-power-of-9091.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2012 |title='Big Brother 14' Spoilers: Who Won the Final 5 Power of Veto? |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-spoilers-who-wo-47351.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719102237/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-14-spoilers-who-wo-47351.aspx |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}

Before the start of every Power of Veto competition, the current Head of Household and the two eviction nominees get to select three additional HouseGuests, thus bringing the total number of players to six, with the H.O.H. always picking first; prior to season 5, all HouseGuests were allowed to compete.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} This process continues until there are six HouseGuests left, in which they all get to play in the next Veto competition, which most often takes place in the live Double Eviction episode.

Originally, the H.O.H. and the nominees chose the three additional players by word-of-mouth. This changed in season 7 when they were forced to choose the players by a random blind draw, pulling out either a ping-pong ball or flat disc, depending on the season, to reveal their choice; should one of them reveal a ball or disc that reads either "HouseGuest's Choice" or one of their own names, the player that drew it or got drawn on then gets to make the next available selection by word-of-mouth.

In the event of three nominees joining the H.O.H. (usually because of twists), only two additional players would then be selected.

The Veto Meeting, which occurs two days after the Veto competition, is the formal setting in which the winning Veto holder announces its decision, often intensifying House dynamics and Alliances.{{Cite book |last=Kavka |first=Misha |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/222666486 |title=Reality television, affect and intimacy: reality matters |date=2008 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=978-0-230-54550-2 |series=Language, discourse, society |location=Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire [England] ; New York |oclc=222666486}}

When ready, the Veto holder calls all HouseGuests, who were waiting patiently in the Backyard, into the Living Room. The holder then begins the meeting by explaining its power and ask for the two eviction nominees to give their final pleas, if they are allowed to do so. If the Veto holder decides to use this power, the Veto is then placed around the neck of the HouseGuest that the holder has chosen to save; when that happens, the current Head of Household is then forced to choose the replacement nominee. However, if the holder decides not to use the Veto, it is then placed inside a box situated on the Living Room's coffee table. Regardless of decision, the holder then adjourns the meeting by closing the box shut.

In the event of two Vetoes being held (usually because of twists), the second Veto holder gets to make the first decision, with the current H.O.H. then being forced to name the replacement nominee should that Veto be used, followed by the first holder who then follows the same process.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

When there are four HouseGuests left, they get to participate in the season's final Power of Veto Competition. The winner of that competition not only secures a spot in the Final Three but also gets to decide which HouseGuest will cast the sole vote to evict on one of the two nominees.

If the last Veto winner is one of the two eviction nominees, that nominee then decides whether to use it either on itself or the other nominee and have the only replacement nominee available take that person's place or, as it is rare, leave the current Head of Household's original choices intact.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} If the winner is the current H.O.H., then that H.O.H. does the same process as normal. However, should the replacement nominee win the Veto, then no Veto Meeting is held and the H.O.H.'s final nominations are automatically locked in.

Regardless of result, the H.O.H. is not allowed to cast the sole eviction vote; only the HouseGuest who is not a nominee does this action.

The food and luxury competitions, which have been a staple of the show since season 1, have also changed over time to reflect the current nature of the game; since season 16, Head of Household and Power of Veto competitions are now commonly used to accommodate special food and luxury privileges.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

In the early seasons, the losers of a Have-Not competition would be placed on a peanut butter and jelly diet and would not be permitted to eat any other foods.{{Cite web |date=June 19, 2005 |title=Big Brother – Season 3, Episode 1: BB3 Ep #1: (Season Premier) Lisa HOH No. 1 |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb3-ep-1-season-premier-lisa-hoh-1-168897/ |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016075246/http://www.tv.com/shows/big-brother/bb3-ep-1-season-premier-lisa-hoh-1-168897/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=TV.com}}{{Cite web |title=The Peanut Butter Brigade: Dedicated To The Big Brother 2 Cast |url=http://www.arneil.net/pb.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902165038/http://www.arneil.net/pb.htm |archive-date=September 2, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} Beginning in season 7, the losers were required to eat "Big Brother Slop" for food, and sleep in a special Have-Not room with cold showers and most discomforts such as hard pillows and beds for a week.{{Cite web |date=July 17, 2006 |title=Big Brother All-Stars: "King Keeps Enemies Close" Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/17/big-brother-all-stars-king-keeps-enemies-close-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222101440/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/17/big-brother-all-stars-king-keeps-enemies-close-review |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |author= |date=July 13, 2009 |title=Big Brother 11 Episode 2 Recap: "I'm Your Friend… Knife Them in the Back" |url=http://www.homorazzi.com/article/big-brother-11-episode-2-recap-julie-chen-nominations-chima-lydia-jesse-hoh/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016093141/http://www.homorazzi.com/article/big-brother-11-episode-2-recap-julie-chen-nominations-chima-lydia-jesse-hoh/ |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Homorazzi}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother 11: Nominations No. 1 |url=http://www.aoltv.com/2009/07/12/big-brother-11-nominations-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006131239/http://www.aoltv.com/2009/07/12/big-brother-11-nominations-1/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=AOL}}{{Cite web |date=June 26, 2013 |title='Big Brother 15' Spoilers: First Night of Live Feeds, Nominations and Alliances Revealed |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-15-spoilers-first-50449.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630192212/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-15-spoilers-first-50449.aspx |archive-date=June 30, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{refn|group=note|Slop has proven to be an issue for some Houseguests. In both cases on Season 9, hypoglycemic HouseGuest Amanda Hansen fainted and had a seizure after only a few days of being on the slop diet, while HouseGuest Allison Nichols had an allergic reaction to the slop;{{Cite news |date=February 23, 2008 |title=2 can't stomach 'Big Bro' slop diet |work=New York Daily News |location=New York |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/2-stomach-big-bro-slop-diet-article-1.307293 |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815022002/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/2-stomach-big-bro-slop-diet-article-1.307293 |archive-date=August 15, 2013}}{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=February 25, 2008 |title=Big Brother 9: Week 3 Veto Spoilers, Plus Seizures and Swelling |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-3-veto-spoi-16973.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132405/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-3-veto-spoi-16973.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} both women were medically evacuated from the house, though they returned the following morning.{{Cite web |date=February 24, 2008 |title=Two houseguests hospitalized due to "slop" diet; Amanda had a seizure |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_9/2008_Feb_24_slop_hospitalization |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921063358/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_9/2008_Feb_24_slop_hospitalization |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=reality blurred}}}}

In some seasons, a HouseGuest can also win a "Never-Not Pass" which they would be immune from being a Have-Not for the remainder of the season.

Since season 22, subsequent weeks forego Have-Not competitions. Instead, either the current Head of Household or the previous Have-Not recipients decide the next ones for the week, with the exception of a few weeks which reset the process, such as weeks without a Have-Not phase or a competition is held. The choice of deciding the Have-Not can be of any HouseGuests except for the reigning Head of Household or the incumbents, or one team in the case of teams (first seen in season 23).

HouseGuests can be penalized for not following Have-Not rules, which is usually incorporated with a penalty vote for eviction,{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=August 24, 2007 |title='Big Brother's' competing realities |url=http://www.today.com/id/20423839/ns/today-entertainment/t/big-brothers-competing-realities/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213065824/http://www.today.com/id/20423839/ns/today-entertainment/t/big-brothers-competing-realities/ |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Today}}{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=August 24, 2007 |title=Jen evicted after receiving Big Brother's first-ever penalty vote |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_8/2007_Aug_24_jen_evicted |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023160144/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_8/2007_Aug_24_jen_evicted |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=reality blurred}} or in some cases, an additional day of a Have-Not.{{Cite web |last=Holtz |first=Jamie |title=Big Brother 11, August 11 Live Feeds: "Big Brother, He's Touching Me!" |url=http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article10440.art&page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628223218/http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article10440.art&page=1 |archive-date=June 28, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Reality News Online}}{{refn|group=note|A controversy occurred during season 21 in which Jackson Michie, the season's eventual winner, broke the Have-Not rule, but was not issued a penalty due to the obstruction of the camera view behind the shower walls while eating non-slop,{{Cite web |last=Albers |first=Caitlin |date=July 19, 2019 |title='Big Brother' 21: First Four Have-Nots of the Season Revealed |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/5539564/big-brother-21-first-four-have-nots-of-the-season-revealed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805084235/https://www.inquisitr.com/5539564/big-brother-21-first-four-have-nots-of-the-season-revealed/ |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |website=Inquisitr}}{{Cite web |date=August 2, 2019 |title=Big Brother 21 Episode Recaps: Another Houseguest Leaves The Game |url=https://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1009328/big-brother-21-episode-recaps--another-houseguest-leaves-the-game/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805084231/https://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1009328/big-brother-21-episode-recaps--another-houseguest-leaves-the-game/ |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 5, 2019 |publisher=CBS}}{{Cite magazine |last=Tew |first=Caroline |date=July 31, 2019 |title=3 things about Michie Big Brother fans are missing if they aren't watching the live feeds |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/07/31/michie-big-brother-live-feeds-surprising-facts/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805084232/https://ew.com/tv/2019/07/31/michie-big-brother-live-feeds-surprising-facts/ |archive-date=August 5, 2019 |access-date=August 5, 2019}} resulting in the Have-Not being unseen for the remainder of that season.{{Cite web |date=September 25, 2019 |title=Big Brother Spoilers: Jackson's Have-Not Slop Scandal Has Tainted The 2019 Finale |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2480916/big-brother-spoilers-jackson-have-not-slop-scandal-tainted-2019-finale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925160244/https://www.cinemablend.com/television/2480916/big-brother-spoilers-jackson-have-not-slop-scandal-tainted-2019-finale |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |website=Cinema Blend}}}}

The HouseGuests also frequently compete in luxury competitions during their time in the House, with most frequently, the right to watch a film or television show in the house, or a small cash prize.{{Cite web |date=April 20, 2008 |title=Big Brother 9: Week 11 Nominations, Live Thoughts |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-11-nominati-18739.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132318/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-9-week-11-nominati-18739.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}

When competitions for films or television shows occur, an actor or actress from the series may enter the house to host the competition or speak with the HouseGuests. Actors such as Jeremy Piven,{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2009 |title='Big Brother 11' Chima keeps her word |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/08/big-brother-11-chima-keeps-her-word.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003184149/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2009/08/big-brother-11-chima-keeps-her-word.html |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Zap2It}} David Hasselhoff,{{Cite web |date=July 22, 2011 |title='Big Brother 13' Spoilers: Which Celebrity Visited the House? |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-13-spoilers-which-41125.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132403/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-13-spoilers-which-41125.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}} and Neil Patrick Harris have all entered the house to participate in luxury competitions or rewards.{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=August 29, 2006 |title=Former child star will appear on Big Brother to whore his CBS sitcom |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_7/2006_Aug_29_doogie_howser |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023155234/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_7/2006_Aug_29_doogie_howser |archive-date=October 23, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=reality blurred}}

File:IanTerryBigBrother14.JPG, with the Diamond Power of Veto]]

To keep the series intriguing, each season typically features a new twist to the format of the game. This began in season 3 with the recurring 'Expect the Unexpected' twist;{{Cite web |title='Big Brother' recap: Expect the Unexpected |url=http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/08/big-brother-recap-expect-unexpected |website=The Celebrity Cafe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029063825/http://thecelebritycafe.com/feature/2012/08/big-brother-recap-expect-unexpected |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} the show would later adopt the "Expect the Unexpected" saying as its official motto.

Some seasons featured smaller twists that have had a smaller impact on the game, usually affecting a single week.{{refn|group=note|A recurring example is 'Pandora's Box', introduced in season 11.{{Cite web |last=Paff |first=Jessica |date=September 1, 2009 |title='Big Brother 11' Kevin gets stuck in Pandora's box? |url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/big_brother_11_kevin_gets_stuck_in_pandoras_box-2009-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028230910/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/big_brother_11_kevin_gets_stuck_in_pandoras_box-2009-09 |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Zap2it}} The twist sees the Head of Household for that week being tempted by the box and can choose to either open the box or leave it. Should that Head of Household choose to open it, either good or bad consequences could be unleashed, which would cause an impact on all HouseGuests.{{Cite news |date=September 10, 2012 |title='Big Brother': Former Winner Dispenses Advice in Pandora's Box, But Is It Reward Or Punishment? |format=video |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/big-brother-former-winner-advice-pandora-video_n_1869635.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021110826/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/10/big-brother-former-winner-advice-pandora-video_n_1869635.html |archive-date=October 21, 2013}}{{Cite web |date=August 24, 2012 |title='Big Brother 14': Pandora's Box releases a power into the house |url=http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/08/big-brother-14-pandoras-box-releases-a-power-into-the-house.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827032737/http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/2012/08/big-brother-14-pandoras-box-releases-a-power-into-the-house.html |archive-date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Zap2it}}}} Similar variants have also been used, such as:{{plainlist|

• The Den of Temptation, used only in season 19 and lasting for its first three weeks, in which the American public voted on which HouseGuest shall be tempted by a game-changing decision which, if accepted, would cause a major impact on the rest of the House.
• The Coup d'État, introduced in season 7, which allowed the holder, determined by a vote from the American public and must be kept a secret until it is revealed in either one of the next two eviction nights, to overthrow the reigning H.O.H. and remove one or both nominees from the block on the given eviction night, as well as choose who is nominated in their place.{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=August 21, 2006 |title=Mike Boogie and the coup d'etat |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2006/08/big-brother-7-mike_boogie_coup_detat/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421040726/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2006/08/big-brother-7-mike_boogie_coup_detat/ |archive-date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Reality Blurred}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother Season 11 Episode 16 |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/36055/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211111123/https://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/36055/ |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=CBS}}{{Cite web |title='Big Brother' evicts Jessie Godderz after Jeff Schroeder plays twist |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-evicts-jessie-godderz-after-jeff-schroeder-plays-twist-9364.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126054750/https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-evicts-jessie-godderz-after-jeff-schroeder-plays-twist-9364.php |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Reality TV World}}
• The Diamond Power of Veto, a twist on the regular Power of Veto, used in seasons 4 and 12,{{citation needed|date=April 2025|reason=the Diamond Power of Veto was first used in season 4, after that season's final Veto competition, and was treated the same way the Golden Power of Veto was in the previous season}} which allowed one HouseGuest to remove itself from the block as well as choose the replacement nominee only moments before the live eviction.{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2010 |title='Big Brother 12' Recap: Deal, No Deal, Diamond PoV and the Saboteur, Part Deux |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-recap-deal-no-d-37813.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213132312/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/big-brother-12-recap-deal-no-d-37813.aspx |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=BuddyTV}}{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2010 |title=Big Brother 12 Episode 14 HOH & Nominations: "America, I Am Going To Be Your New Saboteur" |url=http://www.homorazzi.com/article/big-brother-12-episode-14-hoh-matt-pandora-box-saboteur-diamond-power-of-veto-ragan-nominations/#more-55227 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214072308/http://www.homorazzi.com/article/big-brother-12-episode-14-hoh-matt-pandora-box-saboteur-diamond-power-of-veto-ragan-nominations/#more-55227 |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Homorazzi}}{{refn|group=note|Season 14 also had the Diamond Power of Veto, but that twist carried the same function as the Golden Power of Veto.{{Cite web |last=Gomez |first=Patrick |date=September 21, 2012 |title=Big Brother Winner Ian Terry: Dan Would Not Have Taken Me |url=https://people.com/tv/ian-terry-big-brother-winner-is-richer-and-more-mature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909005422/http://people.com/tv/ian-terry-big-brother-winner-is-richer-and-more-mature/ |archive-date=September 9, 2017 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=People}}}}

}}

In some seasons, such as seasons 8, 10 and 16, the American public voted for a set of HouseGuests who would work with them. On each pre-determined period throughout the entire season, the public voted for one of usually two possible actions the HouseGuests would want to perform, and HouseGuests would earn prize money if they were able to complete the action.

Many seasons have featured twists in which evicted HouseGuests (except for those who either walked or were expelled) can win re-entry into the House, either by a public vote or special competition. Normally, this involves sequestering each evicted HouseGuest individually or in the Jury House (depending on whether the twist occurred pre-Jury or post-Jury, respectively).

At the end of the week, on the Live Eviction episode, all HouseGuests, with the exception of the Head of Household and the two nominees (or three, usually because of twists), cast a vote, one by one, privately inside the Diary Room to determine which one of the nominees should be evicted; prior to season 10, the HouseGuests' eviction votes were revealed in prerecorded segments, with the voting then switching to a live phase about halfway through the game.{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} The HouseGuest receiving a majority of the eligible HouseGuest's votes is then evicted from the House.

In the event of a tie in the voting, the Head of Household then gets to cast the deciding vote, but only on nights in which the H.O.H. is allowed to do so.{{Cite episode |title=Episode Four |series=Big Brother |date=July 16, 2009 |season=11 |number=1 |minutes=33:20}} Once the HouseGuest is evicted, the evictee must then, on instructions given by the host before the revealing of the results, take a few moments to say goodbye to the other HouseGuests and gather his or her personal belongings before walking out the front door.

Some eviction ceremonies have at least one week with a different variant which was first seen since season 5.

A notable variant, called Double Eviction, has been done in two forms. The first, dubbed Double Eviction Week (or "Fast Forward Week"), had all weeklong events occur in an accelerated format, so that two HouseGuests are evicted over a week; the Double Eviction Week has become a staple of the show, particularly in the penultimate week featuring the Final 5 and Final 4 evictions. The second, Double Eviction Night, introduced in season 7, had the events of the week occur over the course of the Live Eviction episode, with the event also becoming a staple of the show.

Season 22 introduced the Triple Eviction Night, where two weeks' worth of game events are played within an extended Live Eviction episode so that three HouseGuests are evicted.{{refn|group=note|The Triple Eviction Night was previously used on Big Brother Canada with a different format – where a single live round was played, with three nominees and two Houseguests being evicted within a single round.}}

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; if it is a team competition, all the members from the losing team are eligible for eviction as if they are nominated.{{refn|group=note|An Eviction Competition was also proposed as a twist in the premiere of season 19 but was not held as the majority opted for an eviction vote instead of a competition.}}

As stated above, the Big Brother Jury plays a key role in voting for the winner of the season between the Final Two HouseGuests.{{cite web |author= |date=September 24, 2011 |title=Big Brother: And the winner is... |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/64177 |website=CBS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213223733/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/episodes/64177 |archive-date=December 13, 2013 |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

Before casting their final votes, they get to participate in what's called the "Jury Roundtable", in which they debate the overall gameplay of the remaining HouseGuests.{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=October 12, 2024 |title=Big Brother exclusive first jury roundtable photo with Taylor Hale |url=https://ew.com/big-brother-exclusive-jury-roundtable-photo-taylor-hale-8727235 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241120175718/https://ew.com/big-brother-exclusive-jury-roundtable-photo-taylor-hale-8727235 |archive-date=November 20, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2025}} The Roundtable serves multiple purposes: providing viewers with insight into the Jury's thought process, allowing them to share information and perspectives they may have missed while in the House, and potentially influencing the final votes by encouraging them to consider the aspects of gameplay that they might have overlooked.

The first format, used in seasons 2 and 3, featured all evicted HouseGuests, except for those who either walked or were expelled, that became eligible to vote.

Before the final votes could be made, each of the evicted HouseGuests asked one question apiece to the Final Two, who can only hear their voices but do not see them, in determining how they might vote for them. The finalists were given the opportunity to make a final statement before voting. Then, each evicted HouseGuest chose a gold key from its own set of two, each one representing a vote for one of the two HouseGuests that they wanted to win and then inserted that chosen key into one of twelve slots on the Voting Box. After the evicted HouseGuests returned to the House to reunite with the Final Two, they pulled out the keys from the box, one at a time, each revealing their choice to win (versus stating their choice to evict, as in all other votes);{{refn|group=note|One exception occurred in season 2, in which, as a result of an expulsion early on in that season,{{citation needed|date=March 2025}} each of the Final Two had one chance to change the outcome by choosing to eliminate one of the keys from the box, thus nullifying that evicted HouseGuest's vote; the Final Two had to make their choices carefully without any knowing of how anyone voted.}} the evictees revealed their votes in no-particular order in season 2, then in order of their eviction in season 3. The HouseGuest that received the most votes from the evictees, after all the votes have been revealed regardless of outcome, was then officially declared the winner of Big Brother and received the grand prize.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

Due to the possibility of a tie and a vote from the American public would be decisive during the first format, the Jury was revamped to its current form, allowing only the seven recently evicted HouseGuests (also known as the "Jury of Seven"), beginning in season 4, before increasing that number to nine (the "Jury of Nine"), beginning in season 15;{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=John |date=August 23, 2003 |title='Big Brother' twist unveiled |url=http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/B/BigBrother4/2004/12/14/782371.html |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710222604/http://jam.canoe.ca/Television/TV_Shows/B/BigBrother4/2004/12/14/782371.html |archive-date=July 10, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |website=JAM! Showbiz}} the "Jury Phase" gets underway about halfway through the game.

In this Jury Phase, the evicted HouseGuests, now known as the "Jury Members" (or "Jurors"), get to live in a very different house called the "Jury House"; while in the Jury House, the Jury Members saw all group events and competitions but, unlike what had occurred in season 3, are not shown any Diary Room interviews or any other footage that may include strategy or details regarding nominations. Prior to the start of Finale Night, the Jury Members were asked, as a group, to come up with (and agree on) three questions for each of the Final Two HouseGuests. After they were brought back to the studio, the Jury Members then, one at a time, asked one of those questions assigned to that finalist, with the exception of the last recently evicted HouseGuest, who can ask only one to either finalist; prior to season 11, while they were still in the Jury House, all the Jury Members, including the third-place finisher, asked one question apiece to either finalist. After the interrogation is complete, each of the two finalists made their final plea on why they deserve to win. Then, one by one, in order of their eviction, choosing from their own set of two, each of the Jury Members securely inserted the key with the name of the HouseGuest that they want to win into the slots on the Voting Box, providing a final brief statement to any one of the Final Two before doing so without giving away their decision. Then, after a few moments (with all of the early evictees returning, excluding any of them that either have walked or got expelled), the host pulls out the keys from the box revealing whom each Jury Member chose to win; in season 4, however, the Jury Members themselves pulled the keys, as part of a slight modification of the first Jury format, continuing until all the Jury's votes were revealed regardless of outcome. The HouseGuest that received at least 5 votes from the Jury (4 votes prior to season 15) is then officially declared the winner of Big Brother and receives the grand prize.{{Cite web |last=Drum |first=Mark |date=September 20, 2012 |title='Big Brother' 14 Finale Episode Breakdown: Ian Quacks To 500K |url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/09/20/big-brother-14-finale-episode-breakdown-ian-quacks-to-500k/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224035902/https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/09/20/big-brother-14-finale-episode-breakdown-ian-quacks-to-500k/ |archive-date=February 24, 2021 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=CBS Detroit}}

Any HouseGuest who either walked or got expelled once the game has reached the Jury Phase results in the loss of a Jury Member; in this situation, the American public would be serving as a juror in their place.{{refn|group=note|The first such occurrence happened in season 11 in which Chima Simone was expelled from the game for a rule violation regarding her dismantling of the house's recording equipment.{{Cite web |last=Bryant |first=Adam |date=August 19, 2009 |title=Big Brother 11 Episode Recap: August 18, 2009 |url=http://www.tvguide.com/Episode-Recaps/big-brother-11/Big-Brother-11-1009070.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100111190328/http://www.tvguide.com/Episode-Recaps/big-brother-11/Big-Brother-11-1009070.aspx |archive-date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=June 11, 2010 |website=TV Guide}} On Finale Night, host Julie Chen locked in the key with the winner of the American public's vote on Chima's behalf; on the revealing of the votes, "America's Vote", which became first in line, decided on the eventual winner of season 11, Jordan Lloyd.}}

Usually because of twists, the current nine-member Jury format can change back to the original seven-member format, along with the "four-votes-to-win" requirement, as it was done in seasons 25 and 26.{{cite magazine |last=Ross |first=Dalton |date=October 13, 2024 |title=And the Big Brother winner is… |url=https://ew.com/big-brother-26-winner-revealed-chelsie-makensy-cam-8727694 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241104173911/https://ew.com/big-brother-26-winner-revealed-chelsie-makensy-cam-8727694 |archive-date=November 4, 2024 |access-date=February 5, 2025}}

Beginning in season 7, viewers have voted to determine the recipient of the "America's Favorite HouseGuest" award in each season except for season 8 and the Over the Top spin-off. The winner receives a cash prize of $50,000 ($25,000 prior to season 23); the results are announced following the finale of each respective season.

During its debut, the award was only eligible to the Jury of Seven (hence the award was called America's Choice Jury Prize), before expanding the eligibility to all HouseGuests (including the season's winner, apart from any HouseGuests who either walked or were expelled), beginning in season 11. The voting percentages were revealed live until dropped in season 17.{{Cite web |date=September 8, 2018 |title=Allison Grodner Interview: Scottie In & Scottie Out, Jury Hive, & AFP |url=https://bigbrothernetwork.com/allison-grodner-interview-big-brother-20-week-10-review/ |website=Big Brother Network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803181914/https://bigbrothernetwork.com/allison-grodner-interview-big-brother-20-week-10-review/ |archive-date=August 3, 2020 |access-date=September 20, 2020}}

As of November 2023, Jeff Schroeder remains the only HouseGuest to have received the award twice. In addition, Taylor Hale, the winner of season 24, is the first contestant to win both the main competition and the America's Favorite HouseGuest award in the same season.{{cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/big-brother-season-24-crowns-new-champion-see-who-won-the-grand-prize-in-the-finale-recap-191517 |title='Big Brother' Season 24 Crowns New Champion -- See Who Won the Grand Prize in the Finale! (Recap) |last=Seemayer |first=Zach |date=September 25, 2022 |website=Entertainment Tonight |access-date=September 14, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926021535/https://www.etonline.com/big-brother-season-24-crowns-new-champion-see-who-won-the-grand-prize-in-the-finale-recap-191517 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |quote=}}

File:Julie Chen and Les Moonves at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.jpg, seen here with Les Moonves, has hosted the series since its premiere.]]

The series was bought by CBS in early 2000 for an estimated $20 million.{{Cite news |last=Greensit |first=Charlotte |date=February 21, 2000 |title=Nowhere to Hide |work=Time World |url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2050523,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 2, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129153233/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2050523,00.html |archive-date=January 29, 2020}} The American version of the series officially premiered on July 5, 2000, when the original ten housemates entered the house.{{Cite magazine |last=Burr |first=Ty |date=July 12, 2000 |title=True Man Show |url=https://ew.com/article/2000/07/12/big-brothers-creepy-webcast-captivating/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150902221621/http://www.ew.com/article/2000/07/12/big-brothers-creepy-webcast-captivating |archive-date=September 2, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}

Since its inception, the show has been hosted by television personality Julie Chen Moonves.{{refn|group=note|The host officially began using her married name of Moonves on the 35th episode of the 20th season.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}}}

It is produced by Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment and Endemol Shine North America (formerly Endemol USA).{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2008 |title='Big Brother: 'Til Death Do You Part' Here...There...Everywhere |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080211cbs01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220034417/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20080211cbs01 |archive-date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=March 9, 2008 |publisher=The Futon Critic}} The success of the series has spawned several spin-offs. The series airs once a year, during the summer, except for the ninth season, which aired in the spring of 2008, and the Over the Top spin-off series broadcasting in fall 2016. Currently, 26 seasons of the show have aired, along with one digital season.{{Cite web |last=Kondolojy |first=Amanda |date=September 24, 2014 |title='Big Brother' Renewed for 17th and 18th Seasons by CBS |url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/24/big-brother-renewed-for-17th-and-18th-seasons-by-CBS/306817/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926065330/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/24/big-brother-renewed-for-17th-and-18th-seasons-by-cbs/306817/ |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |access-date=September 25, 2014 |website=TV by the Numbers}}

The show has aired a total of 936 episodes as of October 13, 2024 (not counting the celebrity editions and Over the Top since it premiered, with the September 5, 2013, airing marking the 500th episode.{{cite web |last=Still |first=Jennifer |date=September 5, 2013 |title='Big Brother' USA: Two houseguests evicted during 500th episode |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s69/big-brother-usa/recaps/a513097/big-brother-usa-two-houseguests-evicted-during-500th-episode.html |website=Digital Spy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122912/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s69/big-brother-usa/recaps/a513097/big-brother-usa-two-houseguests-evicted-during-500th-episode.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |access-date=September 5, 2013}} To date, there have been a total of 353 Houseguests compete in the series.

In an effort to promote diversity, CBS announced a new rule for Big Brother that 50% of all contestants must be {{abbr|BIPOC|black, indigenous, (and) people of color}} for the 2021–2022 broadcast season and from this point forward.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2023-08-10/big-brother-25-luke-valentine-racial-slur-response|title=How 'Big Brother' handled ouster of contestant who used racial slur|last=Braxton|first=Greg|date=August 10, 2023|accessdate=February 13, 2024|work=Los Angeles Times}}

Since its premiere, there have been numerous companion programs about the show. In 2004, the web series House Calls: The Big Brother Talk Show (2004–2008) began airing.{{Cite web |title=CBS Big Brother 'House Calls' Show Has Been Canceled |url=https://www.imdb.com/news/ni0818695/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315212356/http://www.imdb.com/news/ni0818695/ |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=IMDb}} The series, which lasted for thirty minutes and aired on weeknights, allowed fans to call in and discuss the events of the game.{{Cite web |title='Big Brother 5' to feature daily web talk show co-hosted by Marcellus Reynolds |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-5-feature-daily-web-talk-show-co-hosted-by-marcellus-reynolds-2682.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126193104/https://www.realitytvworld.com/news/big-brother-5-feature-daily-web-talk-show-co-hosted-by-marcellus-reynolds-2682.php |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Reality TV World}} This made House Calls the first live Internet talk show produced exclusively for a television network.{{Cite web |title=Survivor Live: The Internet Talk Show to Air Thursdays and Fridays on CBS.com |url=http://gohawaii.about.com/od/survivor_vanuatu/a/survivor_live.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212134/http://gohawaii.about.com/od/survivor_vanuatu/a/survivor_live.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |publisher=Gohawaii.about.com}} The series was initially hosted by Gretchen Massey and Season 3 House Guest Marcellas Reynolds during its first two seasons.{{Cite web |title=Marcellas Reynolds – Other works |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1225537/otherworks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907003318/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1225537/otherworks |archive-date=September 7, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=IMDb}} Beginning with the show's third season, a new co-host was featured on the series each day, with some returning more than once.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |date=September 23, 2008 |title=My TV: MY TV's FIRST EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: a one-on-one with Bunky |url=http://mytvblogandpodcast.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-tvs-first-exclusive-interview-one-on.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200129063450/http://mytvblogandpodcast.blogspot.com/2008/09/my-tvs-first-exclusive-interview-one-on.html |archive-date=January 29, 2020 |access-date=October 28, 2014|website=My TY}}

During the show's fifth and sixth seasons, each co-host was given a designated day of the week to host alongside Gretchen.{{Cite web |title=Daniele Donato |url=http://realitycompetitiontv.com/tag/daniele-donato/ |website=Reality Competition TV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006140521/http://realitycompetitiontv.com/tag/daniele-donato/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} Following the show's sixth season, it was confirmed that it would not be renewed.{{Cite web |date=June 14, 2009 |title=Big Brother Housecalls cancelled |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_11/2009_Jun_14_housecalls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214032239/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother_11/2009_Jun_14_housecalls |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Reality Blurred}} Big Brother: After Dark, a second companion series, was debuted in 2007 and aired on Showtime 2 nightly from 12:00 midnight-3:00 am Eastern Time.{{cite web |last=Adalian |first=Josef |date=June 10, 2007 |title=CBS plans 'Big Brother' spinoff |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/cbs-plans-big-brother-spinoff-1117966623/ |website=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131204446/http://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/cbs-plans-big-brother-spinoff-1117966623/ |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2016}} The series continued this schedule until 2013, at which point it was moved to TVGN (now Pop), where it remained until 2019.{{Cite web |last=Carrie "Spicy" Milburn |date=May 29, 2013 |title=Big Brother After Dark Season 15 Moves From Showtime To TVGN |url=http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/big-brother/15-after-dark-tvgn/34797/#_is=1bfq9ef5cydt110fux1b68lbtm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130708061622/http://www.realitynation.com/tv-shows/big-brother/15-after-dark-tvgn/34797/#_is=1bfq9ef5cydt110fux1b68lbtm |archive-date=July 8, 2013 |access-date=July 8, 2013 |website=Reality Nation}}{{Cite web |date=May 29, 2013 |title='Big Brother: After Dark' Moves From Showtime to TVGN |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-dark-moves-showtime-559927 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url-status=live |access-date=July 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622055837/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-dark-moves-showtime-559927 |archive-date=June 22, 2013}} Former House Guest Jeff Schroeder began hosting the Big Brother: Live Chat online discussion show in 2012, where he interviewed the House Guests both before they enter the house and following their evictions. He also performed post-finale backyard interviews with the cast.{{Cite web |title=Big Brother Video – Live Chat: Nicole Franzel |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/video/vIkm08YoWzBorfdxniTGCJZ2jiD4JCpD/big-brother-live-chat-nicole-franzel/ |format=video |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141020174434/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/video/vIkm08YoWzBorfdxniTGCJZ2jiD4JCpD/big-brother-live-chat-nicole-franzel/ |archive-date=October 20, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=CBS}}{{cite web |last=Schroeder |first=Jeff |author-link=Jeff Schroeder (television personality) |date=September 12, 2014 |title=Big Brother - Live Chat: Jordan Lloyd |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ1N39Ly5FA |format=video |website=YouTube |publisher=Big Brother |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408024921/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ1N39Ly5FA |archive-date=April 8, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2025}} On August 10, 2017, Schroeder announced that he was moving to Colorado and would no longer be able to do the interviews.{{Cite web |last=Young |first=Cia |date=September 18, 2017 |title='BB19' NEWS: DR. WILL TO CONDUCT BACKYARD FACEBOOK LIVE INTERVIEWS WITH HOUSEGUESTS AFTER JEFF SCHROEDER EXIT |url=https://www.inquisitr.com/4505268/bb19-news-dr-will-to-conduct-backyard-facebook-live-interviews-with-houseguests-after-jeff-schroeder-exit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923000433/https://www.inquisitr.com/4505268/bb19-news-dr-will-to-conduct-backyard-facebook-live-interviews-with-houseguests-after-jeff-schroeder-exit/ |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=September 18, 2017 |website=Inquisitr}}

For Big Brother 20, the "Live Chat" was replaced by Off the Block with Ross and Marissa. Hosted by former Celebrity House Guests Marissa Jaret Winokur and Ross Mathews, the show aired on Fridays on Facebook following the live eviction;{{Cite tweet |number=1008551757046169600 |user=JulieChen |title=The #BB20 HGs will be revealed tomorrow... #ButFirst, I have more BB news! #BBCeleb alums @MarissaJWinokur and @helloross are back... and hosting a new show called "Off the Block with Ross and Marissa" on Facebook Watch every Friday this summer! @CBSBigBrother |first=Julie |last=Chen |date=June 17, 2018 |access-date=June 18, 2018 |url=https://twitter.com/JulieChen/status/1008551757046169600}} however, it did not return for Big Brother 21.

{{Further|Big Brother: Over the Top|Celebrity Big Brother (American TV series)|Big Brother Reindeer Games}}

There have been three spin-off editions of Big Brother. In October 2016, CBS premiered a spin-off web series, Big Brother: Over the Top, as an original series for CBS All Access. Unlike the flagship, television version, it was broadcast exclusively online with a shorter, 10-week season.{{Cite web |last=Porreca |first=Brian |date=August 2, 2016 |title='Big Brother' Moves to Fall on CBS All Access |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-moves-fall-cbs-915090 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126042559/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-moves-fall-cbs-915090 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |access-date=August 2, 2016 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva, Nellie |date=August 2, 2016 |title='Big Brother': New Season Coming To CBS All Access This Fall |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/big-brother-season-19-fall-cbs-all-access-1201796972/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803223253/http://deadline.com/2016/08/big-brother-season-19-fall-cbs-all-access-1201796972/ |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

The second spin-off, Celebrity Big Brother, aired its first season on CBS on February 7, 2018.{{cite press release |author= |date=September 7, 2017 |title=CBS TO BROADCAST ITS FIRST CELEBRITY EDITION OF REALITY HIT "BIG BROTHER" |url=https://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=48461 |publisher=CBS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628125159/https://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/releases/view?id=48461 |archive-date=June 28, 2018 |access-date=September 8, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |date=December 1, 2017 |title=CBS Pits Celeb Big Brother vs. Olympics, Sets Date for 30th Amazing Race |url=http://tvline.com/2017/12/01/big-brother-celebrity-premiere-date-amazing-race-season-30/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116221657/https://tvline.com/2017/12/01/big-brother-celebrity-premiere-date-amazing-race-season-30/ |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |access-date=December 1, 2017 |website=TV Line}} Celebrity Big Brother was renewed for a second season, which premiered on January 21, 2019, and concluded on February 13. However, on January 1, 2020, CBS announced there would not be a Celebrity Big Brother in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Boyer |first=Matt |date=January 2020 |title=Big Brother In 2020: Season 22 But No Celebrity Edition |url=https://bigbrothernetwork.com/big-brother-in-2020-season-22-no-celebrity-edition/ |website=Big Brother Network |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103050721/https://bigbrothernetwork.com/big-brother-in-2020-season-22-no-celebrity-edition/ |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |access-date=January 3, 2020 |language=en-US}} In September 2021, CBS announced that the celebrity edition of the show would be returning for a third season on February 2, 2022.

In November 2023, CBS announced that there would be a special holiday spin-off called Big Brother Reindeer Games set to air for six days across two weeks starting on December 11, 2023. The season would feature nine returning players (dubbed as "The Big Brother Legends") and was entirely pre-taped and did not feature live feeds, nor did host Julie Chen Moonves return.{{cite web |last=Seemayer |first=Zach |date=November 9, 2023 |title=Julie Chen Moonves Announces 'Big Brother: Reindeer Games' Special Winter Series |url=https://www.etonline.com/julie-chen-moonves-announces-big-brother-reindeer-games-special-winter-series-214639 |website=Entertainment Tonight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053352/https://www.etonline.com/julie-chen-moonves-announces-big-brother-reindeer-games-special-winter-series-214639 |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023}}{{cite web |last=Knolle |first=Sharon |date=November 9, 2023 |title=CBS Sets 'Big Brother' Holiday Spin-Off 'Reindeer Games' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/big-brother-holiday-spinoff-reindeer-games-cbs/ |website=TheWrap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110053859/https://www.thewrap.com/big-brother-holiday-spinoff-reindeer-games-cbs/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 9, 2023}}

Though not actual spin-offs, both the English and French versions of Big Brother in Canada are, to date, the only franchises to fully adopt the American format;{{Cite web |title=Big Brother Canada Blog – Big Brother Canada Season 3 officially announced – GlobalTV |url=http://www.globaltv.com/bigbrother/2014/june/big_brother_canada_season_3_officially_announced/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008071745/http://www.globaltv.com/BigBrother/2014/June/Big_Brother_Canada_Season_3_officially_announced/ |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Global TV}} the 2020 revival of Big Brother Australia also used the American format (in terms of nominations and evictions) but still relied on the Australian public to decide the eventual winner. Other global franchises, such as Big Brother Brasil, have also adopted individual elements of the American format while still maintaining the international public vote format for weekly evictions and final vote.

Since its launch in the United States, Big Brother has aired on CBS.{{cite news |last=Graham |first=Adam |date=September 26, 2014 |title=Life lessons, kinda, from 'Big Brother' |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/television/2014/09/26/big-brother-cbs-derrick-levasseur/16284979/ |work=The Detroit News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006092502/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/television/2014/09/26/big-brother-cbs-derrick-levasseur/16284979/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} The show is simulcast in Canada on Global.{{Cite web |title=CHANNEL CANADA :: New season of Big Brother tops Global's July Highlights |url=http://www.channelcanada.com/Article1900.html |website=Channel Canada |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720150659/http://www.channelcanada.com/Article1900.html |archive-date=July 20, 2008 |access-date=April 19, 2008}} The fourth and ninth seasons have both aired in the United Kingdom, the latter airing in the Spring season.{{Cite web |last=Wilkes |first=Neil |date=February 6, 2008 |title=E4 picks up US 'Big Brother' |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a88209/e4-picks-up-us-big-brother/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503055915/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a88209/e4-picks-up-us-big-brother/ |archive-date=May 3, 2019 |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}}

The first season featured a total of six episodes per week, though all future installments would air three nights per week.{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2014 |title=Big Brother Season 16 Episode 39 Recap: Then There Were Three |website=CBS Detroit |url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/09/22/big-brother-season-16-episode-39-recap-then-there-were-three/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026130755/http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/09/22/big-brother-season-16-episode-39-recap-then-there-were-three/ |archive-date=October 26, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} Of these three episodes, the weekly eviction episode is the only one that is live; this is the only episode to feature host Julie Chen Moonves. This show generally airs on Thursdays.{{Cite web |last=Ng |first=Philiana |date=September 17, 2014 |title='Big Brother 16': Caleb on Eviction, The Hitmen and Amber |website=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-16-caleb-eviction-733894 |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012164854/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/big-brother-16-caleb-eviction-733894 |archive-date=October 12, 2014}} To date, there have been a total of 820 episodes of the series to air.{{Cite magazine |title=After 500 episodes, it's time to add 'Big Brother' to the reality TV pantheon |url=https://ew.com/article/2013/09/06/big-brother-cbs-reality-tv-pantheon/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724132526/http://www.ew.com/article/2013/09/06/big-brother-cbs-reality-tv-pantheon |archive-date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} With the exception of the ninth season, the series typically airs once a year during the summer season.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2014 |title=Cop To It! 'Big Brother' Winner Selected in Season Finale |url=http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/09/24/cop-to-it-big-brother-winner-selected-in-season-finale/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028031650/http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2014/09/24/cop-to-it-big-brother-winner-selected-in-season-finale/ |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=CBS Los Angeles}}{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=May 2008 |title=Big Brother 9 finale ratings down from last season but "consistent" with this season |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2008/04/big-brother-9-finale_ratings/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006114811/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2008/04/big-brother-9-finale_ratings/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=reality blurred}}

Big Brother was the final primetime show to make the switch to high-definition television: the first 15 seasons aired in standard definition, with the sixteenth season being the first to be produced in HDTV.{{Cite magazine |last=Erin Strecker |date=June 5, 2014 |title='Big Brother': New season will (finally!) be in HD |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/06/05/big-brother-new-season-high-definition/ |url-status=live |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321213601/https://ew.com/article/2014/06/05/big-brother-new-season-high-definition/ |archive-date=March 21, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Josef Adalian |date=June 5, 2014 |title=Big Brother 16 Twist: HD at Last |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/06/big-brother-16-hdtv-broadcast.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073405/http://www.vulture.com/2014/06/big-brother-16-hdtv-broadcast.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Vulture}}{{Cite press release |title=Big Brother Debuts in HD With Special Two-Night Premiere: Live Kickoff and All-Nighter Events |date=June 12, 2014 |publisher=CBS |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1002621/ |access-date=March 21, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405152154/https://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1002621/ |archive-date=April 5, 2023}} However, the live internet feeds would not broadcast in HD until Big Brother 17.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Before the series made the transfer, it was the last remaining regularly scheduled prime-time series to remain in standard definition.{{Cite web |date=June 5, 2014 |title=Reality Bites: Big Brother Goes HD, Survivor Snuffs 'Redemption Island' – TVLine |url=http://tvline.com/2014/06/05/big-brother-season-16-hd-survivor-redemption-island/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024013524/http://tvline.com/2014/06/05/big-brother-season-16-hd-survivor-redemption-island/ |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=TVLine}}{{Cite web |title=Big Brother To Be Broadcast in HD: First-Ever Season in HD |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1002604/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006111145/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/news/1002604/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |publisher=CBS}}

CBS released the entire third season as a nine-disc set on Region 1 DVD.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2003 |title=Amazon.com: Big Brother 3 – The Complete Season |url=https://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-The-Complete-Season/dp/B0000D1FJ9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006142954/http://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-The-Complete-Season/dp/B0000D1FJ9 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Amazon}} This made it the first season to receive an official release, and has since become a rare item to find.{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Big Brother 3 – The Complete Season |url=https://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-The-Complete-Season/product-reviews/B0000D1FJ9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006141413/http://www.amazon.com/Big-Brother-The-Complete-Season/product-reviews/B0000D1FJ9 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Amazon}} The fourth season saw the release of a two-disc highlights DVD, featuring previously unseen footage deemed too racy for the main broadcast.{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: The Best of Big Brother 4 – X-Factor |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Big-Brother-X-Factor/dp/B0001XAKEM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029174213/http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Big-Brother-X-Factor/dp/B0001XAKEM |archive-date=October 29, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Amazon |date=June 8, 2004 }} To date, these are the only seasons to see a physical release.

Beginning with the seventh season, all future seasons are available for purchase on digital retail sites.{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com: Big Brother: Season 14, Episode 1 "Episode 1": Amazon Video |url=https://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B008KY5FY4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006145253/http://www.amazon.com/Episode-1/dp/B008KY5FY4 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Amazon}} With the 15th season, TVGN (now Pop) began airing re-runs of the series at later dates, making it the first season to be aired following its premiere; this continued with the 16th season.{{Cite web |date=July 18, 2013 |title=TVGN To Air 'Big Brother 15′ Entire Week of Episodes on Friday Nights Plus Bonus Hour of 'After Dark' |url=http://bigbrothernetwork.com/tvgn-to-air-big-brother-15-entire-week-of-episodes-on-friday-nights-plus-bonus-hour-of-after-dark/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006141740/http://bigbrothernetwork.com/tvgn-to-air-big-brother-15-entire-week-of-episodes-on-friday-nights-plus-bonus-hour-of-after-dark/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Big Brother Network}} Subscribers to CBS All Access are able to stream the complete run of Big Brother—including the differently-formatted first season—and an episode of Big Brother 2 that did not air in most markets due to ongoing coverage of the September 11 attacks. CBS aired the spin-off series Celebrity Big Brother from February 7–25, 2018. It was the first spin-off to air on the broadcast network and the second season overall to air in the winter television season (the other being season 9). The celebrity edition aired in a concentrated run with fewer episodes, but with multiple episodes each week.

One of the main aspects of the series is the live feeds, in which viewers can view inside the house at any time.{{Cite web |title=Big Brother 2014 Live Feeds – Season 16 |url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/live_feed/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027152431/http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/live_feed/ |archive-date=October 27, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |publisher=CBS}} The live feeds have been a part of the series since its inception, initially being offered as a free service during the first season.{{Cite news |date=July 14, 2000 |title='Big Brother' bores people to jeers |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2000/07/14/big-brother-bores-people-to-jeers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065343/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2000-07-14/features/0007140218_1_big-brother-real-world-viewers |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |work=The Baltimore Sun}} From the second season onward, a subscription to the live feeds has been required, with the price ranging each year.{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=July 4, 2001 |title=CBS will charge for access to Big Brother 2 live video streams; houseguests moved in last Sunday. |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/07/big-brother-2-cbs_will_charge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116201006/https://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2001/07/big-brother-2-cbs_will_charge/ |archive-date=January 16, 2019 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Reality Blurred}} The first season's feeds were available on the show's official site, hosted by AOL.{{Cite book |last1=Mathijs |first1=Ernest |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lQ2wzDullVkC&q=Big+Brother+site+AOL&pg=RA3-PA1998 |title=Big Brother International |last2=Jones |first2=Janet |publisher=Wallflower Press |year=2004 |isbn=9781904764182 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} From the second season to the 14th season, the feeds were available through RealNetworks either as a subscription or as a free addition for Gold members.{{Cite magazine |date=July 6, 2001 |title=Careful, Big Brother Is Charging |url=http://archive.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2001/07/45039 |url-status=live |magazine=Wired |publisher=Condé Nast |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006155542/http://archive.wired.com/entertainment/music/news/2001/07/45039 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014}}

Since 2016, the live feeds have aired on CBS All Access (known as Paramount+ since March 2021), again requiring a subscription from users.{{Cite web |date=June 20, 2014 |title=What Are Big Brother Live Feeds? |url=http://bigbrothernetwork.com/what-are-big-brother-live-feeds/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120133829/http://bigbrothernetwork.com/what-are-big-brother-live-feeds/ |archive-date=November 20, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Big Brother Network}} Though advertised as being available at any time, the feeds are shut off during the weekly nomination ceremony, Power of Veto ceremony, and the competitions and evictions for that week; this is to provide suspense for the series.{{Cite web |date=June 11, 2006 |title=CBS'S SUMMER OF 'Big Brother' On-Air (CBS), Online (RealNetworks, CBS.com and the CBS Audience Network), on the Phone (CBS Mobile) and New this Summer – On Showtime! |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070611cbs01 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105082005/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070611cbs01 |archive-date=January 5, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2008 |publisher=The Futon Critic |format=CBS press release}} Slanderous statements and singing of copyrighted music are also blocked for legal reasons.{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2001 |title=CBS and RealNetworks Offer up Big Brother Subscriptions |url=http://www.streamingmedia.com/article.asp?id=7625 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223210221/http://www.streamingmedia.com/article.asp?id=7625 |archive-date=February 23, 2009 |access-date=April 4, 2008 |publisher=Streaming Media}}{{Cite web |date=July 6, 2004 |title=CBS and RealNetworks Bring 'Big Brother 5' Live to the Internet – Premiering Tonight! |url=http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2004/bigbrother.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080406035937/http://www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2004/bigbrother.html |archive-date=April 6, 2008 |access-date=April 4, 2008 |website=RealNetworks}}{{cite press release |author= |date=July 6, 2005 |title=CBS.com: The Ultimate Destination for 'Big Brother 6' |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050706cbs02 |publisher=The Futon Critic |agency=CBS |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203202729/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20050706cbs02 |archive-date=February 3, 2013 |access-date=April 4, 2008}}

In 2023, the live feeds launched on Pluto TV with limited commercial interruption, marking the first time they have been offered for free since the first season.{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2023 |title='Big Brother' Season 25 Live Feeds Head To Pluto TV |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/big-brother-season-25-live-feeds-pluto-tv-paramount-plus-1235452160/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801185138/https://deadline.com/2023/08/big-brother-season-25-live-feeds-pluto-tv-paramount-plus-1235452160/ |archive-date=August 1, 2023 |access-date=August 11, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

{{main|List of Big Brother (American TV series) episodes (2000–2009)|List of Big Brother (American TV series) episodes (2010–2019)|List of Big Brother (American TV series) episodes (2020–present)}}

{{for|the seasons of the celebrity edition|Celebrity Big Brother (American TV series)#Series overview}}

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

Since its inception, Big Brother has been criticized following reports of "HIB" (Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying),{{Cite web |last=Dehnart |first=Andy |author-link=Andy Dehnart |date=August 2, 2007 |title=Big Brother 8 bits: Dick's tea assault; banners return; house visit; Chill Town and Jen |url=http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2007/08/big-brother-8-round_up/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006112948/http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/2007/08/big-brother-8-round_up/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=reality blurred}} violence in the house, obscene language,{{Cite news |date=July 18, 2009 |title=CBS Censors "Big Brother" Slurs |work=The Huffington Post |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/18/cbs-censors-big-brother-s_1_n_239358.html |url-status=live |access-date=October 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007054233/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/07/18/cbs-censors-big-brother-s_1_n_239358.html |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}{{Cite web |last=Reiher |first=Andrea |date=June 30, 2013 |title='Big Brother 15' house: The racism, misogyny and homophobia comes out! |url=http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/big_brother_15_house_the_racism_misogyny_and_homophobia_comes_out-2013-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006093229/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/big_brother_15_house_the_racism_misogyny_and_homophobia_comes_out-2013-06 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=Zap2it}}{{Cite web |last=St. Amand |first=Jason |title=TV's 'Big Brother' Ratings Dive Amid Anti-Gay, Racial Comments |url=http://southfloridagaynews.com/Television/tvs-big-brother-ratings-dive-amid-anti-gay-racial-comments.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006080814/http://southfloridagaynews.com/Television/tvs-big-brother-ratings-dive-amid-anti-gay-racial-comments.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=South Florida Gay News}}{{Cite web |title=Should CBS Expel 'Big Brother 15' HG Aaryn Over Racist Comments? |url=http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/should-cbs-expel-big-brother-1-50485.aspx |website=BuddyTV |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704043751/http://www.buddytv.com/articles/big-brother/should-cbs-expel-big-brother-1-50485.aspx |archive-date=July 4, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} breach of integrity,{{Cite web |title='Big Brother' ratings slip after editing controversy |url=http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/big-brother-ratings-slip-after-editing-controversy.html |website=The Live Feed|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090724034904/http://www.thrfeed.com/2009/07/big-brother-ratings-slip-after-editing-controversy.html |archive-date=July 24, 2009 |access-date=July 21, 2009}}{{Cite web |last=Langston Moore |first=Michael |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Is Big Brother 13 Rigged? |url=http://www.themortonreport.com/features/is-big-brother-13-rigged/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130815003424/http://www.themortonreport.com/features/is-big-brother-13-rigged/ |archive-date=August 15, 2013 |access-date=October 28, 2014 |website=The Morton Report}} and the physical and mental strain of appearing on the series.{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2000 |title="Big Brother" mutiny brewing! |url=http://www.salon.com/2000/08/22/bb_web/ |website=Salon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102081432/http://www.salon.com/2000/08/22/bb_web/ |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |access-date=October 28, 2014}} Several seasons have also been criticized for racism and discrimination, most notably season 15 and season 21.{{Cite news |last=Braxton |first=Greg |date=September 25, 2019 |title='Big Brother's' season was marred by allegations of racism. It's not the first time |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-09-24/cbs-big-brother-racism-controversy-context |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024232455/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2019-09-24/cbs-big-brother-racism-controversy-context |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |work=Los Angeles Times}}{{Cite news |last=Andor |first=Michael |date=September 26, 2019 |title='Big Brother' superfans led charges of racism, sexism against season 21 winner |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2019/09/26/big-brother-superfans-led-charges-racism-sexism-against-season-winner/2NxmIhnQ0IIkNfD4EfgbzO/story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927062409/https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2019/09/26/big-brother-superfans-led-charges-racism-sexism-against-season-winner/2NxmIhnQ0IIkNfD4EfgbzO/story.html |archive-date=September 27, 2019 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |work=The Boston Globe}}{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Jim |date=September 4, 2019 |title=Controversial Season, BIG BROTHER Renewed by CBS But NO Promises To Change Casting |url=https://jimheath.tv/2019/09/controversial-season-big-brother-renewed-by-cbs-but-no-promises-to-change-casting/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508063739/https://jimheath.tv/2019/09/controversial-season-big-brother-renewed-by-cbs-but-no-promises-to-change-casting/ |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=JimHeath.TV}}

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 Brent, 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.{{Cite web |date=September 14, 2018 |title='I'm Julie Chen Moonves': 'Big Brother' host says after husband's ouster from CBS |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/i-m-julie-chen-moonves-big-brother-host-says-upon-n909601 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918190803/https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/tv/i-m-julie-chen-moonves-big-brother-host-says-upon-n909601 |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |publisher=NBC News |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |last1=Iannucci |first1=Rebecca |last2=Swift |first2=Andy |date=April 22, 2020 |title=The Talk{{'}}s Julie Chen Confirms Exit in Tearful Video Message: 'I Will Always Cherish the Memories' — Watch |url=https://tvline.com/2018/09/18/julie-chen-leaving-the-talk-watch-video-message-final-episode/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918192301/https://tvline.com/2018/09/18/julie-chen-leaving-the-talk-watch-video-message-final-episode/ |archive-date=September 18, 2018 |access-date=September 18, 2018 |website=TVLine |location=United States}}{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=September 18, 2018 |title=Julie Chen Officially Exits 'The Talk' |url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/julie-chen-the-talk-exit-1202946749/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427005208/https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/julie-chen-the-talk-exit-1202946749/ |archive-date=April 27, 2020 |access-date=April 22, 2020 |website=Variety}}

Big Brother was nominated for Best Competition Show at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

• The Glass House
• Opposite Worlds
• Love Island
• The Truman Show

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|http://www.cbs.com/bigbrother}}
• [https://www.globaltv.com/shows/big-brother/ Big Brother's Canadian Website] at GlobalTV.com
• {{IMDb title|0251497|Big Brother}}

{{Big Brother US}}

{{Big Brother}}

{{CBSNetwork Shows (current and upcoming)}}

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Category:Big Brother (American TV series)

Category:2000 American television series debuts

Category:2000s American reality television series

Category:2010s American reality television series

Category:2020s American reality television series

Category:American television series based on Dutch television series

Category:Reality competition television series

Category:CBS reality television shows

Category:Big Brother (franchise) adaptations

Category:Television series by Endemol

Category:Television series by Banijay

Category:Television series by Evolution Film & Tape

Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles