Big Brother (Belgian TV series)

The format of Big Brother has the same format as the international Big Brother franchise. A group of strangers lives together in an isolated home. They have to work together to succeed in tasks but next to that they also have to nominate each other. The nominated housemates are up for eviction by the audience. Ultimately, the last housemate who leaves the house is the winner. The program was introduced in Flanders as the ultimate social experiment.

The Big Brother House was built next to the buildings of broadcaster VTM at Medialaan 3 in Vilvoorde. It was built in less than four months, with a one-month construction vacation. Because the housemates would live in the house, there had to be much administration done and there wasn't enough time. It is said the mayor of Vilvoorde, Jean-Luc Dehaene made it possible the administration was completed in time. The same building plans of the Dutch Big Brother house were used. The house was 212 m² and the garden was 240 m². Central in the house were two hidden walkways which formed across where the crew could film the housemates everywhere. There were 26 cameras and 60 microphones everywhere even in the toilet. Although the camera in the toilet was discussed a lot in media, it was never used in the show.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst19082000_042|title=Big Brother-huis is instapklaar|website=DeStandaard|date=August 19, 2000|language=NL}}

For the second season, a net covered the garden to obstruct messages from the outside thrown into the garden. An isolation room was added to the house. It was 4 m² and had a chemical toilet. In the third season, the garden was completely covered with a glass ceiling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/DST31082002_063?s=1|title= Big brother |website=De Standaard|date=August 31, 2002|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/big-brother-big-bucks-big-mystery~b3cb3072/|title= Big Brother, Big Bucks, Big Mystery|website=De Morgen|date=September 7, 2002|language=NL}} It was demolished in 2005.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/g25k9oom|title=KanaalTwee bouwt aan nieuw Big Brother-huis|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=November 15, 2005|language=NL}}

The second house was built for the fifth season at the same location as the first one, in less than six months. The house was created as one open space surrounded by walkways for the crew and cameras. There were 60 microphones and 34 cameras. In the open space, everything was made out of glass – even the wall and the three showers. The glasshouse meant no privacy for the housemates. There was also a loft which had more luxury. The housemates had no space in the open air but a covered courtyard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/gq4oosfl|title= Big brother zoekt ophef |website=De Standaard|date=February 17, 2006|language=NL}} The house was built so it could be easily reshaped as a television studio. This happened in July 2007 when Big Brother was scrapped and broadcaster JIMtv moved in.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/bf1ejgv1_1|title= JIM trekt in huis van 'Big Brother' |website=DeStandaard|date=July 7, 2007|language=NL}}

For the 2021 season, for the first time, the cooperation for Big Brother between Flanders and the Netherlands, a new house was built in Amsterdam, next to the Johan Cruyff Arena at a parking lot of Endemol Shine in only a few months. The house was 300 m². There were 125 cameras, 100 indoor cameras and 25 outdoor cameras, and 39 speakers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.humo.be/tv/300-vierkante-meter-125-camera-s-een-sauna-en-een-hottub-welkom-in-het-big-brother-huis~b68b9b4a/|title=300 vierkante meter, 125 camera's, een sauna en een hottub: welkom in het 'Big Brother'-huis|website=Humo|date=December 15, 2020|language=NL}}

Since the start of its first season in September 2000, Big Brother Belgium went through numerous changes in its concept. Here are some significant examples of the progress of modifying the rules of the original game:

• "Only the housemates have to decide which of them gets nominated.": changed in season 3 were halfway to the season the viewers nominated and the housemates vote to evict and in season 4 were the viewers voted for their favorite housemates (unknown to the housemates) and the housemates vote to evict one of those housemates (to a secret location).
• "None of the housemates know each other before entering the house.": changed in season 5 with a couple in a romantic relationship entering the house and in season 6 there was a couple of friends, two sisters, a team of exes, two nieces, a romantic couple, a father and adoptive son who entered as pairs.
• "The prize money is a certainty": changed in season 6 where the prize money was reduced for every lie that was told (and detected by the lie detector).
• "The complete household lives together in one group": changed in season 4 with the most popular housemates at a secret location and the remaining housemates at the Big Brother house. In season 5 the season started with some housemates living in the secret loft.
• "Only the winner receives prize money": changed in season 3 where every housemate had his own budget. When the housemate evicted they received the remaining budget.
• "The housemates get no information from outside": changed in season 2 where the housemates were informed about the 911 terrorist attack.
• "The housemates live isolated in a house": changed in season 3 when housemates received tasks to do outside the house.

Despite the start of the first season of Big Brother in the neighboring Netherlands, it seemed Flanders was not interested in the program. Neither VTM or VT4 wanted the program. Creator John De Mol stated there was political pressure in Flanders that blocked the program. There was much controversy in Flanders about the concept and many experts – psychologists, sociologists and even politicians – shared their view. However things changed when Big Brother in the Netherlands was successful, Germany had bought its own version and other countries showed interest in their own local version. VTM and VT4 both showed interest. It was VTM who bought the format, thanks to director Eric Claeys.{{Cite web|url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/tv-radio/20-jaar-big-brother-betty-heeft-voor-de-seksuele-bevrijding-meer-gedaan-dan-een-pak-seksuologen/article-longread-1635461.html|title=20 jaar 'Big Brother': 'Betty heeft voor de seksuele bevrijding meer gedaan dan een pak seksuologen' |website=Knack|date=September 2, 2000|language=NL}}

Since the program was so controversial and VTM was directed to families, it was decided Big Brother would be broadcast at Kanaal 2, a smaller broadcaster. In May 2000 the show had the last go to be launched in September. There were only 4 months to get everything ready. A crew of 106 people was selected.{{Cite web|url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/tv-radio/20-jaar-big-brother-betty-heeft-voor-de-seksuele-bevrijding-meer-gedaan-dan-een-pak-seksuologen/article-longread-1635461.html|title=20 jaar 'Big Brother': 'Betty heeft voor de seksuele bevrijding meer gedaan dan een pak seksuologen' |website=Knack|date=September 2, 2000|language=NL}}

On 3 June 2000, A special show Big Brother – De Start (Big Brother - the Start) was launched after a match with the Red Devils.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst03062000_047|title=Big Brother zoekt zijn discipelen|website=De Standaard|date=June 3, 2000|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/tv-radio/20-jaar-big-brother-betty-heeft-voor-de-seksuele-bevrijding-meer-gedaan-dan-een-pak-seksuologen/article-longread-1635461.html|title=20 jaar 'Big Brother': 'Betty heeft voor de seksuele bevrijding meer gedaan dan een pak seksuologen' |website=Knack|date=September 2, 2000|language=NL}} The special was 30 minutes and had professors like philosopher Etienne Vermeersch and scientists like astronaut Dirk Frimout discussing social isolation. There were also testimonials of top athletes and ex-prisoners. The special was a call for participants. In two days there were 7500 letters from people who wanted to participate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid88163|title=Wie wil mij zien douchen?|website=GVA|date=June 4, 2000|language=NL}}

Participants were screened thoroughly. They had long questionnaires, conversations with the producers, psychological tests and conversations with a psychologist. Editor-in-chief Bart Verbeelen later stated that even some participants were followed by a private detective. Since the show already made some controversy before it was even aired, the producers wanted to make sure the housemates would be mentally healthy.{{Cite web|url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/tv-radio/20-jaar-big-brother-betty-heeft-voor-de-seksuele-bevrijding-meer-gedaan-dan-een-pak-seksuologen/article-longread-1635461.html|title=20 jaar 'Big Brother': 'Betty heeft voor de seksuele bevrijding meer gedaan dan een pak seksuologen' |website=Knack|date=September 2, 2000|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://m.standaard.be/cnt/dst28082000_045|title=Big Brother-kandidaten moeten mond houden |website=De Standaard|date=August 28, 2000|language=NL}}

On 3 September 2000, the kick-off of the first season aired and it was very successful.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst05092000_046|title= Big Brother klopt Bus |website=De Standaard|date=September 5, 2000|language=NL}} The daily episodes had more than 800,000 viewers on average. Every live show reached more than 1 million viewers. Big Brother was in the top 10 ratings weekly. After a call from housemate Steven Spillebeen for wax, more than 140 wax pots were thrown in the garden. Since the concept of this reality show was new, there was much attention for Betty Owczarek who was often shown naked and for Bart Van Opstal & Katrijn Verlinden who were the first couple to have sex on Flanders television. Housemate Jeroen Denaeghel and other housemates experienced Stockholm syndrome where they developed sympathy for Big Brother and its house and were scared to leave the house. Housemates were instant celebrities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/oid55641|title= 1,1 miljoen mensen 'geboeid' door Big Brother |website=Hbvl|date=October 24, 2000|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid96601|title= Ingelmunster wacht op Betty |website=GVA|date=November 20, 2000|language=NL}} It was the most visited website in Belgium in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/geboeid-door-verveling~b4cb220e/|title=Geboeid door verveling|website=De Morgen|date=June 2, 2014|language=NL}} More than 5000 people were in the audience when Steven Spillebeen was declared the winner of the first season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst18122000_039|title=Spillie wint miljoenen van Big Brother|website=De Standaard|date=December 18, 2000|language=NL}} The highlight of the finale reached 1,895,000 viewers. Because of the success of the program, Spillebeen had to stay the first 2 weeks undercover.{{Cite web|url=https://focus.knack.be/entertainment/tv-radio/20-jaar-big-brother-betty-heeft-voor-de-seksuele-bevrijding-meer-gedaan-dan-een-pak-seksuologen/article-longread-1635461.html|title=20 jaar 'Big Brother': 'Betty heeft voor de seksuele bevrijding meer gedaan dan een pak seksuologen' |website=Knack|date=September 2, 2000|language=NL}} Big Brother was very successful for the first season in Belgium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid97935|title=Big Brother heeft Kanaal 2 op de kaart gezet|website=GVA|date=December 19, 2000|language=NL}} Not only the program had high ratings but also the official website was visited a lot. Because of the high demand for the 12 free cameras for live streaming, the site crashed a few times. In total, the camera's were more than 9 million times used for free viewing. 70.000 people visited the website daily and 4.2 million people weekly. The website had 75 million hits during the whole season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid146391|title= Online in BB-huis kijken wordt betalen |website=GVA|date=August 20, 2001|language=NL}} It was the most visited website in Belgium in 2000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/geboeid-door-verveling~b4cb220e/|title=Geboeid door verveling|website=De Morgen|date=June 2, 2014|language=NL}}

The first season was the launch of huge success for the Big Brother franchise in Flanders. But every season had less impact. Producers stated that only the first season was real reality television. It was completely new for the makers of the program, the audience and the housemates. Housemates in later seasons knew what to expect and often hoped for an entertainment career rather than having a good or interesting time in the house. Editor-in-chief Bart Verbeelen also believed the producers started to experiment too quickly from the original concept and focusing more on conflicts.

Beforehand the second season were two spin-offs. The reality documentary Het leven na Big Brother (Life after Big Brother) documented the celebrity life of the housemates of the first season and a celebrity version Big Brother VIPs 1. Although Big Brother was broadcast at Kanaal 2, both spin-offs were broadcast at the bigger channel VTM. Both spin-offs were in the top 20 ratings of 2001, Big Brother VIPs 1 ranking at 9th place and with 1,161,300 viewers and Het leven na Big Brother ranking at 16th place.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/oid178673|title=Kijkcijfers 2001|website=HBVL|date=January 23, 2002|language=NL}}

13,000 people wanted to be a housemate for Big Brother 2. The second season was launched in September 2001. It started with a twist, 11 male housemates and only 1 female housemate entered the house on the opening night.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid150692|title=Tweede reeks Big Brother zondag op gang geblazen|website=GVA|date=September 2, 2001|language=NL}} In every province of Flanders, there was a Big Brother pub. And viewers could watch the housemates all the time on a pay-TV channel. The second season was still successful in the ratings, especially the live shows. The show received more criticism. Following a party where housemates lost control after drinking alcohol, many viewers complained about the images of the kissing and suggested sex between three couples. The producers also censored the view of naked housemate Detlev and fellow housemate Irena who entered a large water tank.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/nbna15032002_005|title=Irena en Detlev gaan vijf maanden na Big Brother resoluut met elkaar verder|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=March 15, 2002|language=NL}} Commentators believed that night determined the whole season. It's the one thing viewers remember about the second season and the one housemate who acted properly was voted the winner at the end of the series.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/ellen-wint-tweede-editie-big-brother~bbd08197/|title=Ellen wint tweede editie 'Big Brother'|website=De Morgen|date=December 17, 2001|language=NL}} The finale was the 8th highest-rated show in 2001. The live shows of the second season still had more than 1 million viewers. Pay television CanalDigitaal which offered a 24/24 live stream had 20% more subscribers during the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/canaldigitaal-plukt-big-brother-vruchten~bceb79d2/|title= CanalDigitaal plukt Big Brother vruchten|website=De Morgen|date=December 13, 2001|language=NL}}

Following the criticism of season 2, the producers changed a lot for the third season in 2002 and even added new twists, like a mole. Housemates were selected out of 4,500 candidates. Although the producers called the season its best season to date because of its colorful housemates, the audience thought it was the most boring season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst17122002_065|title= Big Brother: op naar de vierde reeks |website=De Standaard|date=December 17, 2002|language=NL}} The ratings started to slip.

In 2003, Big Brother All Stars launched beforehand the fourth season. The fourth season was built around a huge twist. The original plan was the housemates were "evicted" to a secret place by housemates and the most unpopular housemates would be mass evicted halfway the season. But because without being evicted and unfriendly housemates, the Big Brother house became a hostile place. Five housemates left the house voluntarily after many conflicts and bullying. The twist had no effection because there was eventually only one unpopular housemate left. There was also criticism about animal abuse when housemates Kristof, Mathousca and John had to kill a chicken. The producers apologized and made some tasks about charity and animal welfare by the end of this season. The season was the least popular and the rating continued to drop. Daily episodes received 300,000 viewers. Caused by ongoing criticism and a change of program directors at VTM, Big Brother was axed for an undetermined time in 2004. The house was demolished.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20200723_96293317|title="Betty, ben jij nu weer met jezelf aan het spelen?": de meest memorabele momenten uit 'Big Brother'|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=July 23, 2020|language=NL}}

Big Brother returned with the fifth season in 2006. A new house was built and the concept was rethought.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf27022006_010|title=Seropositieve man en zwangere vrouw in Big Brother|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=February 27, 2006|language=NL}} The season was well received.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf29052006_094|title=Kirsten wint Big Brother 2006|website=De Standaard|date=May 29, 2006|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf30052006_065|title=Kandidaten gezocht voor Big Brother 2007|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=May 30, 2006|language=NL}}

A Big Brother VIPs 2 followed. In the sixth season "Zero privacy" in 2007, the show was introduced a lie detector. During the kick-off show, housemates entered the house in pairs. Viewers complained about the boring housemates. Producers tried to spark interest by changing half of the housemates into new ones and adding two actors in the house. Ratings dropped very fast. The broadcast schedule of the live shows was also changed to reach more viewers. At the final on 4 June 2007, there was no call for future housemates. A few weeks later, the producers stated that Big Brother wouldn't be coming back for an indefinite time.{{Cite web|url=https://tvvisie.be/nieuws/belgie/kanaaltwee-bekent-fouten-big-brother-flop_16280/|title=KANAALTWEE bekent fouten 'Big Brother'-flop|website=HLN|date=June 7, 2007|language=NL}}

In July 2020, it was revealed by RTL 5 and VIER that a new season in cooperation by the Netherlands and Flanders-Belgium would air in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/tv/big-brother-keert-terug-is-dat-wel-verantwoord-hopelijk-worden-de-kandidaten-nu-extra-begeleid~af05fe51/|title='Big Brother' keert terug: is dat wel verantwoord? "Hopelijk worden de kandidaten nu extra begeleid"|website=HLN |date=July 24, 2020|language=NL}} Three seasons followed in the following years.

Big Brother (Belgian edition)

Big Brother (Belgian and Dutch edition)

Big Brother VIPs

Big Brother All Stars

Big Brother was broadcast by KanaalTwee from season 1 to season 6. For the 2021 season, the show was broadcast on Vier (later rebranded as Play4).

There were a 24 hours live stream for most of the series. During the second season, the live stream on broadcaster Canaldigitaal.{{Cite web|date=August 20, 2001|title=Online in BB-huis kijken wordt betalen|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid146391|website=GVA|language=NL}} During the third and fourth seasons the live stream were on KanaalTwee.{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2002|title=Canal+ twijfelt aan Big Brother|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/canal-twijfelt-aan-big-brother~b6f373d6/1|website=De Morgen|language=NL}} In the fifth season, it was on Belgacom TV. And for the 2021 season, the live stream was on Telenet and Vier.be (later changed to Play4.be).

There was much controversy about how real Big Brother was during the first season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid93565|title=Telefacts spaart Big Brother niet|website=GVA|date=September 20, 2002|language=NL}} Nathalie Chabas was the first housemate who complained about the image shown of her on the show wasn't who she really was.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20200723_97184848|title='Big brother' komt terug, maar hoe is het nog met de kandidaten uit het allereerste seizoen?|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=July 24, 2020|language=NL}} Producers reacted that participants can be surprised when they are confronted with images of their own behavior. Betty Owczarek often said in interviews that she was presented one-dimensional. Owczarek stated that all women were sometimes naked in the Big Brother house, but only she was shown.

Other housemates in the next seasons had the same complaints. Dominique Cardon from the second season believed the fact she did almost all the housekeeping and Kurt Willem being the house psychologist for the other housemates was never shown on purpose by the producers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/nbna10092002_007|title=Roddels en bloot garanderen hoge kijkcijfers |website=De Standaard|date=September 10, 2001|language=NL}} Esther Blockx from the third season stated that she noticed the cameras never followed her during daily tasks. However, she heard the cameras move and zoom when she cuddled with male housemates. Many housemates believed the producers created a character for everybody and only used the matching recorded images.

Housemates from the second season believed the controversial party was encouraged by Big Brother on purpose by starving the housemates for weeks and treat them afterward with lots of alcohol. Producers admitted they did let some items lying around, making it easier or more difficult for some tasks to succeed.

Housemate Jeroen Denaeghel wrote the book Cel of Hotel: in de klauwen van Big Brother (Cel or Hotel: in Big Brother's claws) about his experiences during and after the program, based on the diary he wrote during his stay in the Big Brother.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid162668|title=Contract deelnemers Big Brother ethisch aanvechtbaar|website=GVA|date=October 17, 2001|language=NL}} Production company Endemol was not amused and started a legal battle. Eventually a censored edition of the book was available by the end of 2001.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/nbna20102001_010|title=Dit is koude oorlog Jeroen pikt niet langer de boycot rond zijn Big Brother-boek|website=DeStandaard|date=October 20, 2001|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/nbnb29122001_005|title=Pikant maar eerlijk|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=December 29, 2001|language=NL}} Housemate Ester Blockx did a guest lecture at the University of KU Leuven about her experiences.{{Cite web|url=http://www.veto.student.kuleuven.ac.be/jg29/veto2909/bigbrother.html|title=Verslag van gastcollege Blockx|website=KULeuven|date=2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061224210702/http://www.veto.student.kuleuven.ac.be/jg29/veto2909/bigbrother.html|archive-date=2006-12-24|language=NL}}

The casting of the housemates of Big Brother was also criticized. The first season had 13 housemates with no housemate having an immigrant background. The second season had its first housemate with multicultural background, Bachir Boumaâza. There was much racism towards Boumaâza on the Internet and there were mass votes to evict him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/big-brother-fans-stemmen-en-bloc-tegen-belgische-marokkaan~b63bd2b8/|title=Big Brother-fans stemmen en bloc tegen belgische marokkaan|website=De Morgen|date=September 6, 2001|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.knack.be/nieuws/magazine/die-bruine/article-normal-1102611.html|title=Die bruine|website=Knack|date=September 12, 2001|language=NL}} The producers of Big Brother reacted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/big-brother-compileert~b366943b/|title= Bachir versus Dewinter|website=De Standaard|date=September 18, 2001|language=NL}} After his eviction Boumaâza appeared at the program Recht van Antwoord (The Right to Defend) to talk about racism and the example he tried to set in Big Brother.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst18092001_062|title=Big Brother compileert|website=De Morgen|date=September 8, 2001|language=NL}} In future seasons, the casting was more diverse including a housemate with dwarfism, a transgender housemate, a pregnant housemate and a housemate with HIV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/dwerg-hanz-uit-big-brother-huis~b00aedf3/|title=Dwerg Hanz uit Big Brother|website=De Morgen|date=November 12, 2002|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/gcbop1ag|title=Kenny stapt met HIV in Big Brother-huis |website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=February 27, 2006|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/zoon-dokter-lecompte-samen-met-transseksueel-in-big-brother~bb717cfa/|title=Zoon dokter Lecompte met transseksueel in Big Brother|website=De Morgen|date=September 16, 2003|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf27022006_010|title=Seropositieve man en zwangere vrouw in Big Brother|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=February 27, 2006|language=NL}} Critics called it an attempt to get more viewers. Other opinions were that Big Brother made taboo's discussable. Housemate Glenn Verhoeven was one of the first openly homosexuals on television in Flanders without homosexuality being stereotyped.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid97265|title=Niet meer alleen naar bed|website=GVA|date=December 4, 2000|language=NL}} Kenny Van Quickelberghe of season 5 was glad he could show during the program that people with HIV can have a normal life.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf09052006_007|title=Seropositieve Kenny verlaat Big Brother|website=De Standaard|date=May 9, 2006|language=NL}} Professor Gust De Meyer wrote a book about it and saw the program as an interesting mirror of modern society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/big-brother-geeft-zich-bloot~bb8388ce/|title=Big Brother geeft zich bloot|website=De Morgen|date=June 25, 2001|language=NL}}

The housemates of the first season received much attention.{{Cite web|url=https://kw.be/nieuws/samenleving/twintig-jaar-geleden-verliet-betty-het-big-brother-huis-ze-was-daar-de-ster/|title=Twintig jaar geleden verliet Betty het Big Brother-huis: "Ze was daar de ster!"|website=Krant van West-Vlaanderen|date=November 20, 2020|language=NL}} They were asked for many acts of attendance and were shown in other programs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid95834|title=Big Brother, Big Money|website=GVA|date=November 4, 2000|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst14122000_106|title=REPORTAGE. Big Brother, big bucks|website=De Standaard|date=December 14, 2000|language=NL}} The effects of this newfound fame were shown in the spin-off program Het leven na Big Brother – Life after Big Brother. During the following seasons, the interest of the corresponding housemates decreased.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst14032001_057|title= Geen goed gevoel na Big Brother |website=De Standaard|date=March 14, 2001|language=NL}}

Many housemates received offers for posing naked. Betty Owczarek got a deal with Playboy.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid96601|title=Ingelmunster wacht op Betty|website=GVA|date=November 6, 2000|language=NL}} The edition of Owczarek was sold out everywhere in Flanders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dexa22012001_004|title=Big Betty Bloot in Playboy |website=De Standaard|date=January 20, 2001|language=NL}} There were talks for a second photo shoot but there wasn't an agreement made. Irena Milano was also photographed in Playboy and was even playmate that month. Also, other housemates such as Catherine Buseyne, Isabelle Bleuzé, Dominique Cardon, Esther Blockx and Jolie M'Polita went naked on the magazine cover. The only male housemate going naked was Detlev Van den Eynde in a special Black Box of Dennis Black Magic. Liesel Pauwels went into porn with the Big Brother parody "Big House".

Nathalie Chabas, Glenn Verhoeven, Katrijn Verlinden, Bart Van Opstal and Jeroen Denaeghel as Los Papagueros from the first season and Kurt Willem from the second season released singles with divided success. It was especially Betty Owczarek from Big Brother 1 and Big Brother 2 winner Ellen Dufour who were able to start a music career. Hanz Brandt of Season 3 was more successful as a DJ following his participation.

Steven Spillebeen and Jeroen Denaeghel presented the program Studio Spillonimo at JIM TV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst02042001_037|title=JIM live in de ether |website=De Standaard|date=April 2, 2001|language=NL}} At the same broadcaster, Frank Molnar presented a game show for years. Ellen Dufour was the presenter of "Kids Top 20" at VTM.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20190812_04555654|title=Ze won 'Big brother' en presenteerde 8 jaar de 'Kids top 20'. Hoe zou het nu zijn met Ellen Dufour?|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=August 12, 2019|language=NL}} Kurt Willem was one of the presenters at the launch of digital broadcaster Ment TV. Kirsten Janssens was shown for some seasons in the reality show The Sky is the Limit.{{Cite web|url=https://www.humo.be/nieuws/voor-danspaal-gezet-jan-kriekels-en-kirsten-janssens-uit-the-sky-is-the-limit~b026c138/|title=Voor danspaal gezet: Jan Kriekels en Kirsten Janssens|website=HUMO|date=August 6, 2015|language=NL}}

Hannes D'Haese's artwork received more attention and Benjamin Bundervoet was shown more in media as the mascot of KAA Gent.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/wildebras-wordt-wilde-weldoener~b63c84bd/|title=Wildebras wordt wilde weldoener|website=De Morgen|date=February 25, 2014|language=NL}}

Despite most housemates aren't active in media anymore, they are still recognized and addressed after 20 years. According to Katrijn Verlinden and Kristof Van Camp, this is daily.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/leuven/big-brother-is-back-leuvens-cafebaas-kristof-dike-van-camp-won-in-2003-na-17-jaar-word-ik-nog-altijd-herkend~abf42231/|title=Big Brother is back. Leuvens cafébaas Kristof 'Dike' Van Camp won in 2003: "Na 17 jaar word ik nog altijd herkend"|website=HLN |date=July 24, 2020|language=NL}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/showbizz/katrijn-uit-eerste-big-brother-blikt-na-20-jaar-terug-een-relatie-beginnen-in-het-huis-dat-raad-ik-niemand-aan~ae5270ad/|title=Katrijn uit eerste 'Big Brother' blikt na 20 jaar terug: "Een relatie beginnen in het huis, dat raad ik niemand aan"|website=HLN |date=September 2, 2020|language=NL}}

Big Brother was the first reality-soap in Flanders. Years after the first season it was called the mother of reality television.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20170215_02732316|title=Vlaanderen stond op zijn kop toen 'Big Brother' begon: zo kijken 'Spillie' en Walter Grootaers terug op "de grootste peepshow ter wereld"|website=Het Nieuwsblad|date=February 15, 2017|language=NL}} It would lead into new programs using real people and not only actors. Professor Gust Demeyer called Big Brother a work of art, stating it made the private life for the first time public.{{Cite web|url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dst01092001_092|title=Het private is opnieuw openbaar |website=De Standaard|date=September 1, 2001|language=NL}} He wrote a book about it and saw the program as an interesting mirror of modern society.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/big-brother-geeft-zich-bloot~bb8388ce/|title=Big Brother geeft zich bloot|website=De Morgen|date=June 25, 2001|language=NL}} In 2011 the show was named one of the most 10 influential television programs ever on Flanders television by a special selected panel of media experts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/de-vlaamse-tv-canon-de-keuze-van-de-experts~b9042cc8/|title=De Vlaamse tv-canon: de keuze van de experts|website=De Morgen|date=October 19, 2011|language=NL}}

{{reflist}}

• [http://worldofbigbrother.com/ World of Big Brother]

{{Big Brother Belgium}}

{{Big Brother}}

Category:2000 Belgian television series debuts

Category:Belgian reality television series

Category:Dutch-language television shows

Category:VTM 2 original programming