Big Brother has returned to Dreamworld on the Gold Coast this week, bringing a shift back to its original format. After several years on Channel Seven, where it was styled as a game-show-reality-TV hybrid with a somewhat dystopian atmosphere, the show is now embracing a simpler approach.
This year, Big Brother is back on Channel 10, its initial broadcaster, and has also returned to Dreamworld. The classic format features 12 contestants participating in live nominations, evictions, and the iconic live stream experience.
The Big Brother live stream "has always been as integral to the show as the live voting system and strategic game-play."
While episodes air only a few hours weekly, contestants are filmed around the clock. This means much footage is edited out, making the live stream a crucial way for viewers to experience the full reality of the house.
During Big Brother's peak in the mid-2000s, tuning into the live stream—sometimes secretly—was a defining part of the show's appeal for many fans.
Author's summary: This season marks a nostalgic return for Big Brother, reviving its original live-stream format that created a dedicated, behind-the-scenes viewer experience vital to its success.