document_title: Big Brother (franchise)

question_text: why is the big brother show called big brother

question_tokens: why is the big brother show called big brother

text: Big Brother (franchise)

text: Premise[edit]

text: At regular intervals, the housemates privately nominate a number of their fellow housemates whom they wish to be evicted from the house.[3] The housemates with the most nominations are then announced, and viewers are given the opportunity to vote via telephone for the nominee they wish to be evicted. The last person remaining is declared the winner.

text: Some more recent editions have since included additional methods of voting, such as voting through social media and smartphone applications. Occasionally, non-standard votes occur, where two houseguests are evicted at once or no one is voted out. In the earlier series of Big Brother, there were 10 contestants with evictions every two weeks. However, the UK version introduced a larger number of contestants with weekly evictions. Most versions of Big Brother follow the weekly eviction format, broadcast over approximately three months for 16 contestants.

text: The contestants are required to do housework and are assigned tasks by the producers of the show (who communicate with the housemates via the omnipresent authority figure known to them only as "Big Brother"). The tasks are designed to test their teamwork abilities and community spirit. In some countries, the housemates' shopping budget or weekly allowance (to buy food and other essentials) depends on the outcome of assigned tasks.

text: History[edit]

text: Name[edit]

text: The term Big Brother originates from George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, with its theme of continuous oppressive surveillance.[1] The program also relies on other techniques, such as a stripped back-to-basic environment, evictions, weekly tasks and competitions set by Big Brother, and the "Diary Room" (or "Confession Room") where housemates convey their private thoughts to the camera and reveal their nominees for eviction.

text: Creation[edit]

text: The first version of Big Brother was broadcast in 1999 on Veronica in the Netherlands. In the first season of Big Brother, the house was very basic. Although essential amenities such as running water, furniture and a limited ration of food were provided, luxury items were often forbidden. This added a survivalist element to the show, increasing the potential for social tension. Nearly all later series provide a modern house for the contest with a jacuzzi, sauna, VIP suite, loft and other luxuries.

text: International expansion[edit]

text: The format has become an international TV franchise. While each country or region has its own variation, the common theme is that the contestants are confined to the house and have their every action recorded by cameras and microphones, and that no contact with the outside world is permitted.

text: Most international versions of the show remain quite similar to each other: their main format remains true to the original fly on the wall observational style with the emphasis on human relationships, to the extent that contestants usually are forbidden from discussing nominations or voting strategy. In 2001, the US version adopted a different format during its second season, where the contestants are encouraged to strategize to advance in the game; in this format the contestants themselves vote to evict each other. In 2011, the UK version controversially adapted the discussion of nominations before reversing this rule after a poll by Big Brother broadcaster Channel 5.[4]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Overview[edit]

text: From a sociological and demographic perspective, Big Brother allows an analysis of how people react[citation needed] when forced into close confinement with people outside of their comfort zone (having different opinions or ideals, or from a different socioeconomic group). The viewer has the opportunity to see how a person reacts from the outside (through the constant recording of their actions) and the inside (in the Diary or Confession Room). The Diary Room is where contestants can privately express their feelings about the game, strategy and the other contestants. The results range from violent or angry confrontations to genuine and tender connections (often including romantic interludes).

text: The show is notable for involving the Internet. Although the show typically broadcasts daily updates during the evening (sometimes criticized by viewers and former contestants for heavy editing by producers),[5] viewers can also watch a continuous feed from multiple cameras on the Web in most countries. These websites were successful, even after some national series began charging for access to the video stream. In some countries, Internet broadcasting was supplemented by updates via email, WAP and SMS. The house is shown live on satellite television, although in some countries there is a 10–15 minute delay to allow libelous or unacceptable content (such as references to people not participating in the program who have not consented to having personal information broadcast) to be removed.

text: Contestants occasionally develop sexual relationships; the level of sexual explicitness allowed to be shown in broadcast and Internet-feed varies according to the country's broadcasting standards.

text: Isolation[edit]

text: Big Brother contestants are isolated in the house, without access to television, radio or the Internet. They are not permitted routine communication with the outside world. This was an important issue for most earlier series of the show. In more-recent series, contestants are occasionally allowed to view televised events (usually as a reward for winning at a task). In most versions of the program, books and writing materials are also forbidden, although exceptions are sometimes made for religious materials such as the Bible, Tanakh or the Qur'an. Some versions ban all writing implements, even items that can be used to write (such as lipstick or eyeliner). Despite the housemates' isolation, some contestants are occasionally allowed to leave the house as part of tasks. Contestants are permitted to leave the house in an emergency.

text: Contestants have regularly-scheduled interactions with the show's host on eviction nights. Throughout each day, the program's producer, in the "Big Brother" voice, issues directives and commands to contestants. Some versions of the show allow private counseling sessions with a psychologist. These are allowed at any time, and are often conducted by telephone from the Diary Room.

text: Format changes and twists[edit]

text: Regional versions[edit]

text: Due to the intelligibility of certain languages across several nations, it has been possible to make regional versions of Big Brother. All of these follow the normal Big Brother rules, except that contestants must come from each of the countries in the region where it airs: Big Brother Albania of Albania and Kosovo, Big Brother Angola e Moçambique of Angola and Mozambique, Big Brother Africa of Africa (includes Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe), Big Brother: الرئيس of the Middle East (includes Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Syria and Tunisia), Gran Hermano del Pacífico of South America (includes Chile, Ecuador and Peru), Big Brother of Scandinavia (includes Norway and Sweden) and Veliki brat of the Balkans (includes Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Macedonia). The British version of the show accepts Irish applicants and was available between 2000 and 2010 as Channel 4 was available; as of 2015[update] the show returned to Irish screens as TV3 bought the rights from UK broadcaster Channel 5 to air the show.

text: On the other hand, some countries have multiple franchises based on language. India has Hindi, Telugu, Bengali, Tamil and Kannada language versions; Canada has French- and English-language versions; and the United States has English- and Spanish-language versions of the show.

text: Twists involving single franchises[edit]

text: Multiple areas and houses[edit]

text: In 2001, Big Brother 3 of the Netherlands introduced the "Rich and Poor" concept, wherein the house is separated into a luxurious half and a poor half and two teams of housemates compete for a place in the luxurious half. The Dutch version continued this concept until its fourth season. Other versions later followed and introduced a similar concept, of which some have their own twists: Africa (in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013), Albania (in 2010), Australia (in 2003 and 2013), Balkan States (in VIP 2010 and 2011), Brazil (in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014), Canada (2013–present), Denmark (in 2003), Finland (in 2009 and 2014), France (in 2009, 2011–present), Germany (in 2003, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008 and 2008–09), Greece (in 2003), India (in 2012 and 2013), Israel (in 2009), Italy (in 2006 and 2007), Norway (in 2003), Philippines (in 2009, Teen 2010 and 2011), Poland (in 2002), Portugal (in VIP 2013 and 2016), Slovakia (in 2005), Slovenia (in 2008, 2015 and 2016), Scandinavia (in 2005), South Africa (in 2014), Spain (in VIP 2004, 2008, 2009–10 and 2010), United Kingdom (in 2002, Celebrity 2007, 2008, Celebrity 2013 and 2016) and United States (2009–present).

text: In 2011–12, the seventh Argentine series added La Casa de al Lado ("The House Next Door"), a smaller, more luxurious house which served multiple functions. The first week it hosted 4 potential housemates, and the public voted for two of them to enter the main house. The second week, two pairs of twins competed in the same fashion, with only one pair allowed in. Later, the 3rd, 4th and 5th evicted contestants were given the choice of staying on their way out and they competed for the public's vote to reenter the house. Months later, after one of the contestants left the house voluntarily, the House Next Door reopened for four contestants who wanted to reenter and had not been in such a playoff before. The House Next Door was also used in other occasions to accommodate contestants from the main house for limited periods of time, especially to have more privacy (which of course could be seen by the public).[6]

text: The ninth Brazilian season featured the "Bubble": a glass house in a shopping mall in Rio de Janeiro where four potential housemates lived for a week. Later in the season a bubble was built inside the Big Brother house, with another two housemates living in it for a week until they were voted in and the glass house dismantled. The Glass House was reused in the eleventh season, featuring five evicted housemates competing for a chance to join the house again, and in the thirteenth season, with six potential housemates competing for two places in the main house. A dividing wall from the ninth season was reused in the fourteenth Brazilian season, when mothers and aunts of the housemates entered for International Women's Day and stayed in the house for 6 days, though they could not be seen by the housemates.

text: In the fourth English-Canadian season, two house guests were evicted and moved into a special suite where they were able to watch the remaining house guests. A week later, the house guests were required to unanimously decide which of them to bring back into the house.

text: Evil Big Brother[edit]

text: In 2004, the fifth UK series introduced an villainous Big Brother with harsher punishments, such as taking away prize money, more difficult tasks and secret tricks. This concept has also been used in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, South America, Scandinavia, Serbia, Spain, Thailand, the Philippines and Mexico.

text: Twin or triplet housemates[edit]

text: In 2004, the fifth US season introduced twins who were tasked with secretly switching back and forth in the house; they were allowed to play the game as individual house guests after succeeding at the deception for five weeks. This twist was reused in the seventeenth US season with an easier task of successfully changing places for five weeks without being evicted.

text: This twin or triplet twist was used in several countries. Some made modifications to this twist; others have had twins in the house together without this element of secrecy. The following are the countries that have featured twins or triplets: Australia (in 2005), Germany (in 2005–06), Bulgaria (in 2006, 2012 and VIP 2017), United Kingdom (in 2007, Celebrity 2011, Celebrity 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and Celebrity 2017), France (in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2016), Spain (in 2007 and 2013), Poland (in 2007), India (in 2008), Africa (in 2009), Balkan Region (in 2009 and 2013), Philippines (in 2009, Teen 2012 and 2014), Portugal (in 2010 and 2012), Israel (in 2011), Ukraine (in 2011), Argentina (in 2011 and 2016) and Albania (in 2013).

text: Pairs competitions[edit]

text: During the tenth week of the seventh UK series, the housemates were paired with their "best friend" in the house and had to nominate and face eviction as couples. The ninth US season added a romantic theme by pairing up the housemates and having them compete as couples. In the second celebrity edition of the Philippine version, two housemates related by profession or family played as one, while on their seventh season, one housemate related by profession played as one.[clarify] The second season of the Philippine teen edition also featured the parents or guardians of the teens staying in the house; if a teen housemate was evicted, the coinciding parent or guardian would also be evicted. The thirteenth US season introduced Dynamic Duos, where contestants formed pairs that would be nominated together; the nominee not evicted would be immune from further nomination until the final 10 when pairs were dissolved. The fourth Greek season was dubbed "Big Mother", and featured nine housemates accompanied by their mothers. In the ninth season of Indian big brother,[clarify] "Bigg Boss: Double Trouble", contestants entered the house tied up in pairs by the waist. They had joint chairs, beds, spoons, and even mugs. In the ninth Albania series all the housemates where in couples and for the first time in the history of Big Brother the winner will be only a couple and that couple was Danjel Dedndreaj & Fotini Derxho.

text: Secret missions[edit]

text: Secret missions are a common element of the show since their introduction during the sixth UK series. During these missions, one or more housemates are set a task from Big Brother with the reward of luxuries for the household and/or a personal reward if the task is successful. Some versions of Big Brother have secret tasks presented by another character who lives in plain sight of the housemate. Such characters include Marsha the Moose (from BB Canada) and Surly the Fish (from BB Australia).

text: The eighth US season introduced "America's Player", where a selected house guest must complete various tasks (determined by public vote) in secret for the duration of their stay in the house in exchange for a cash reward. It was repeated in the tenth US season for a week. The eleventh US season featured Pandora's Box, in which the winning head of household was tempted to open a box, with unintended consequences for the house. The twelfth US season featured a saboteur, who entered the house to wreak havoc with tasks suggested by viewers. The sixteenth US season featured "Team America", in which 3 houseguests were selected to work as a team to complete tasks (determined by public voting) for a cash reward; this continued for the entire season despite the eviction of a team member.

text: The fourth Argentine series added a telephone in the living room. This telephone rang once a week for ten seconds, and the person to pick up the receiver was given an order or news from Big Brother (which typically no other housemate could hear). The order could be beneficial or detrimental, but a refused order resulted in nomination for eviction. If nobody picked up the call, the whole house would be nominated for eviction.[7]

text: Opening night twists[edit]

text: Since Big Brother 2, the UK series has opened with a twist. This has included having three finalists (Big Brother 2); public voting for least-favourite housemates, with the housemates choosing between two nominees to evict (Big Brother 3); first-night nominations (Big Brother 4); suitcase nominations (Big Brother 5); Unlucky Housemate 13 (Big Brother 6); Big Brother Hood (Big Brother 7); an all-female house and a set of twins as contestants (Big Brother 8); a couple entering as housemates, who must hide their relationship (Big Brother 9); housemates having to earn housemate status (Big Brother 10); a mole entering the house with an impossible task (Big Brother 11); Pamela Anderson entering as a guest for 5 days (Big Brother 12); first-night nominations and a public vote for a wildcard to become a housemate (Big Brother 13); a professional actor posing as a housemate and a mother and daughter as contestants (Big Brother 14); one contestant gets a pass to the final (Big Brother 15); first night eviction (Big Brother 16); two houses with "the other house" featuring enemies from the main house housemates past (Big Brother 17); Jackie Stallone entering a house containing her son's ex-wife Brigitte Nielsen (Celebrity Big Brother 3); a non-celebrity in a celebrity edition (Celebrity Big Brother 4); a visit from Jade Goody's family (Celebrity Big Brother 5) and unlocked bedrooms allowing housemates to immediately claim beds[8] with the last housemate becoming the Head of House (Celebrity Big Brother 6).

text: A common opening twist is to only introduce cast of a single sex on the premiere of the show while having members of the opposite sex introduced over the next few days. The eighth UK series first used this twist with an initial all-female house, adding a male housemate two days later. The same twist was used in the (fourth Bulgarian series), and an all-male premiere was used on Big Brother Africa 4.

text: Fake evictions[edit]

text: The fifth UK series introduced fake evictions, where one or two housemates are "evicted". In the eighth UK series one housemate was evicted, interviewed and sent back into the house.

text: In the fifth Philippine edition, four housemates were fake-evicted and stayed in a place called bodega.

text: In the tenth Australian season, Benjamin Zabel was fake-evicted for 24 hours before being returned to the house with immunity from eviction for that week. In the eleventh Australian season Travis Lunardi was fake-evicted and received advice from Benjamin Zabel for 24 hours; Travis returned to the house after a 3-day absence with immunity from eviction for that week.

text: In the thirteenth Brazilian series, Anamara Barreira was fake-evicted. She was removed and put into a small private apartment without the other housemates knowing she was still in the house. After 24 hours, she returned to the house as Head of Household and with immunity from eviction that week. In the sixteenth Brazilian series, Ana Paula Renault was similarly fake-evicted, put into a small private apartment, and returned after 48 hours with immunity from eviction that week.

text: In the first Turkish series, there is a fake eviction in week 10.

text: Coaches[edit]

text: The fourteenth US season had four house guests from past seasons return to coach twelve new house guests, playing for a separate prize of $100,000. However, in a reset twist, they opted to join the normal game alongside the other house guests.

text: Red button[edit]

text: The seventh Argentine series incorporated a red button into the Confession Room, which would sound an alarm throughout the house. This button was to be used when a contestant wanted to leave the house voluntarily, and the contestant would be given five minutes to leave the house.[9] A red button is also used in Secret Story series, however in this case whoever presses the button will try to guess someone's secret.

text: Legacy rewards or penalties[edit]

text: In Celebrity Hijack UK, evicted housemates were given the opportunity to choose if a "ninja" delivered good or bad gifts to the house. Later that year, the eighth Australian series introduced the Housemate Hand Grenade, where an evicted housemate decided which remaining housemate received a penalty. A similar punishment used on Big Brother Africa was called the Molotov Cocktail, Dagger or Fuse.

text: Most valuable player[edit]

text: The fifteenth US season allowed viewers to vote for a house guest to be made M.V.P., who then secretly nominates a third house guest for eviction (in addition to the two selected by the Head of Household). In a further twist, the viewers themselves decided who the third nominee would be. Like many such twists, this was ended halfway into the season as the pool of contestants shrank.

text: Multiple heads of household[edit]

text: The sixteenth US season and seventeenth US season featured two Heads of Household every week and had four house guests nominated for eviction. There was also a "Battle of the Block" competition where the two sets of nominees competed to save themselves; the winning pair not only saved themselves but dethroned the Head of Household who nominated them, who was then vulnerable as a replacement nominee if a veto was used. It was also used on Big Brother Brasil 16 and Big Brother Brasil 17 where the HOH's had to nominate one person and they had to choose between 10 thousand dollars or immunity

text: Multiple winners[edit]

text: In 2011, Big Brother Africa 6 was the first season of Big Brother to have two winners, each getting US$200,000. In 2015, the sixth Philippine season, also had two winners; one from the teens and one from the regular adults. Each of which received PHP1,000,000. Bigg Boss 8 (India) ended with a twist, where the top five contestants were crowned 'champions' . The season was extended by 35 days (total 135) .. as a spin off called Bigg Boss:Halla Bol, where ex contestants from previous seasons entered the house to compete with the five champions.

text: In 2016, on season 4 of Big Brother Canada brothers Nick and Phil Paquette won the season, playing together as one.

text: Reserve house mates[edit]

text: The fourth Philippine season introduced reserved housemates, short-listed auditioners who were given a chance to be a housemate by completing tasks assigned by Big Brother. This was also done in Argentina's seventh season and Brazil's ninth season.

text: Twists involving multiple franchises[edit]

text: Housemate exchanges[edit]

text: In 2002, the Mexican and Spanish editions (BBM1 and GH3) made temporary housemate exchanges. Mexico's Eduardo Orozco swapped with Spain's Andrés Barreiro for 7 days. In 2010, the first 2-housemate exchange was held by Spain and Italy (GH11 and GF10). Gerardo Prager and Saray Pereira from Spain were swapped with Carmela Gualtieri and Massimo Scattarella of Italy for 7 days.

text: In later years, several housemate exchanges were done around the world: Argentina (GH3) and Spain (GH4), Ecuador (GH1) and Mexico (BBM2), and Africa (BBA1) and United Kingdom (BB4) in 2003; Scandinavia (BB2) and Thailand (BBT2) in 2006; Philippines (PBB2) and Slovenia (BB1), and Argentina (GH5) and Spain (GH9) in 2007; Africa (BBA3) and Finland (BB4) in 2008; Finland (BB5) and Philippines (PBB3) in 2009; Finland (BB6) and Slovenia (BBS1) in 2010; Spain (GH12) and Israel (HH3) in 2010–11; Finland (BB7) and Norway (BB4) in 2011; Argentina (GH7) and Israel (HH4) in 2012; and Mexico (BB4) and Spain (GH16) in 2015; Spain (GHVIP5) and Brazil (BBB17) in 2017.

text: Evicted housemate exchanges[edit]

text: In 2003, Mexico's Isabel Madow (BB VIP2) and Spain's Aída Nízar (GH5) were swapped for 7 days. This twist was also done between Russia (BBR1) and Pacific (GHP1) in 2005, and Argentina (GH4) and Brazil (BBB7) in 2007.

text: Other exchanges[edit]

text: In 2009, as part of the casting process for Italy's GF9, Doroti Polito and Leonia Coccia visited Spain's GH10.

text: In 2012, four contestants from Denmark's BB4 visited Sweden's BB6 and competed in a Viking-themed challenge. The Danish team won and 'kidnapped' Swedish contestant Annica Englund to the Denmark house for the following week.

text: In 2012, evicted housemate Laisa Portella of Brazil (from BBB12) was a guest on Spain's Gran Hermano 13 for a week; the following week, non-evicted Noemí Merino of GH13 stayed in the Brazilian Big Brother house for 5 days.

text: In 2016, Big Brother UK housemate Nikki Graham and Big Brother Australia housemate Tim Dormer were voted in by Canada to be houseguests on the 4th season of Big Brother Canada. Similarly, Big Brother UK housemate Jade Goody appeared as a housemate on Big Boss India.

text: Evicted housemate visits[edit]

text: Anouska Golebiewski, an evicted housemate from the United Kingdom (housemate from BB4) visited Australia (BB3) in 2003. In 2005, United Kingdom (Nadia Almada of BB5) visited Australia (BB5) again. In 2006, United Kingdom (Chantelle Houghton of CBB4) visited Germany (BBG6). This twist was used in later years by other countries: Africa (Ricardo Ferreira of BBA3) visited Brazil (BBB9) in 2009; Germany (Annina Ucatis and Sascha Schwan of BBG9) visited the Philippines (PBB3), and Italy (George Leonard and Veronica Ciardi of GF10) visited Albania (BB3) in 2010; Sweden (Martin Granetoft and Peter OrrmyrSara Jonsson of BB5) visited Norway (BB4) in 2011; Brazil (Rafael Cordeiro of BBB12) visited Spain (GH12), and Argentina (Agustín Belforte of GH4) visited Colombia (GH2) in 2012; United States (Dan Gheesling of BB10/BB14) visited Canada (BB1 and the BB2 Jury) in 2013; Canada (Emmett Blois of BB1) visited South Africa (BBM3) in 2014; and Spain (Paula Gonzalez of GH 15) visited Mexico (BBM4) in 2015.

text: A similar event took place between the United States and Canada in 2014 wherein Rachel Reilly (from BB12/BB13) made a video chat to Canada (BB2). Rachel Reilly also appeared on Big Brother Canada's side show, which airs after the eviction episode.

text: Housemates competing in another country[edit]

text: There were occasions that a former housemate from one franchise participated and competed in a different franchise: Daniela Martins of France (SS3) competed in Portugal (SS1); Daniel Mkongo of France (SS5) competed in Italy (GF12); Brigitte Nielsen of Denmark (BB VIP) competed in the United Kingdom (CBB3); Jade Goody of the United Kingdom (BB3, BB Panto, and CCB5) competed in India (BB2); Sava Radović of Germany (BB4) competed in the Balkan States (VB1); Nikola Nasteski of the Balkan States (VB4) competed in Bulgaria (BB All-Stars 1); Žarko Stojanović of France (SS5) competed in the Balkan States (VB VIP5); Željko Stojanović of France (SS5) competed in the Balkan States (VB VIP5); Kelly Baron of Brazil (BBB13) competed in Portugal (BB VIP); Lucy Diakovska of Bulgaria (VIP B4) competed in Germany (PBB1); Leila Ben Khalifa of Italy (GF6) competed in France (SS8); Priya Malik of Australia (BB11) competed in India (BB9); Tim Dormer of Australia (BB10) and Nikki Grahame of the United Kingdom (BB7, UBB) competed in Canada (BB4); Leonel Estevao-Luto of Africa (BB4) competed in Angola & Mozambique (BB3); Frankie Grande of the United States (BB16) competed in the United Kingdom (CBB18); Fanny Rodrigues of Portugal (SS2) competed in France (SS10); and Tucha Anita of Angola (BB3); Amor Romeira of Spain (GH9) competed in Portugal (SS6) and Alain Rochette of Spain (GH17) competed in France (SS11).

text: Multiple-franchise competitions[edit]

text: Eurovision Song Contest[edit]

text:
Team and Song
Jury's points
Dates
Winner

 GF11
 BB5
 GH6
Total
Tests
 Performance
 Performance
Ratings
Closed

 GH12: "A-Ba-Ni-Bi"
12
12
12
36
30 Dec 2010 to 4 Jan 2011
5 Jan 2011
6 Jan 2011
7 Jan 2011
8 Jan 2011
 GH12

 HH3: "Bandido"
10
10
10
30

text: FIFA World Cup[edit]

text:
Series participants
Prize
Points
Winner
Date

 BB10 Germany
 BB11 United Kingdom
A screening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup (Round of 16) Germany vs. England game
After five penalties, the score was 1–1 and the game went to sudden death. After 36 penalties, German housemate Robert shot the ball wide and UK housemate Ife scored, winning 2–1.
 BB11
26 June 2010

text: Special editions[edit]

text: Celebrity and VIP Big Brother[edit]

text: The Big Brother format has been adapted in some countries; the housemates are local celebrities, and the shows are called Celebrity Big Brother or Big Brother VIP. In some countries, the prize money normally awarded to the winning housemate is donated to a charity, and all celebrities are paid to appear in the show as long as they do not voluntarily leave before their eviction or the end of the series. The rest of the rules are nearly the same as those of the original version. The celebrity version has become particularly popular in the UK, causing UK broadcaster Channel 5 to extend its deal with Endemol enabling them to air two celebrity series in addition to the civilian version every year from 2012.[10] As of 2016[update] the UK has aired 20 celebrity series with the current Celebrity Big Brother from 1 August 2017. The sure is due to stay on air until at less 2018. In August 2017 the U.K Celebrity series celebrated it's 20th series. In Bulgaria, VIP Brother has replaced the original format of the show and more seasons of the celebrity edition have been produced than the regular one. Due to the show's popularity there, it lasts for two months unlike most countries where it only airs for a month.

text: Variations[edit]

text: The 2006 Netherlands series was entitled Hotel Big Brother. This variation introduced a group of celebrity hoteliers and a Big Boss, who run a hotel and collect money for charity without nominations, evictions or a winner.

text: Another variation appeared in the UK in early 2008, entitled Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack. Instead of being housemates the celebrities became Big Brother himself, creating tasks and holding nominations with the help of Big Brother. The housemates were considered by the producers "Britain's most exceptional and extraordinary" 18- to 21-year-olds. The prize for the winner of the series was £50,000.[11]

text: In 2009, VIP Brother 3 Bulgaria introduced the concept of celebrities competing for charitable causes, which changed each week. Housemates were sometimes allowed to leave the house to raise money for the charity. 9 out of 10 seasons of Bigg Boss (the Indian version of Big Brother) have been celebrity-only seasons. The 10th season of Big Boss had celebrities put up against commoners, where a commoner ultimately won.

text: US and English-Canadian formats[edit]

text: The US and Canadian versions of Big Brother differ from most global versions of the series. The US series began in 2000 with the original Dutch format—i.e., housemates, or HouseGuests, as they are styled in the US, nominating each other for eviction and the public voting on evictions and the eventual winner. But due to both poor ratings and the concurrent popularity of Survivor, a gameplay-oriented format was introduced in the second season, with HouseGuests encouraged to openly strategize and form alliances.

text: In this format, HouseGuests vote each other out and choose the winner. Each week, one HouseGuest is chosen (usually by competition) as the Head of Household (HoH), who sleeps in a luxurious bedroom and nominates two fellow HouseGuests for eviction in a formal ceremony. HoH also chooses Haves, who enjoy luxury foods and other special privileges, and Have-Nots, who must eat "slop" (a fortified oatmeal), sleep in designated uncomfortable beds, and take cold showers. Before the sixteenth US season, HouseGuests competed in a Have/Have-Not challenge similar to the shopping tasks on Big Brother UK and other international editions.

text: The winner of the Power of Veto (PoV), introduced in the third US season, has the option to save one nominee (including him/herself) from eviction, forcing the HoH to nominate another HouseGuest in the former nominee's place. The HouseGuests then vote to evict one of the nominees. When only two contestants remain, a jury of the most recently evicted HouseGuests (generally seven or nine) decides which of the two finalists wins the grand prize. Beginning in the fourth (2003) US season, jury members were sequestered off-site so that they would not be privy to the day-to-day goings-on in the house.

text: In 2013, English-speaking Canada introduced its own version of the show on the cable channel Slice; the series moved to Global TV for its third (2015) season. The show followed the US format, but with more elaborate twists and greater viewer participation in the game. Secret tasks were introduced, usually presented by the show's mascot, "Marsha the Moose"; also, as in most global franchises, Big Brother was a distinct character who interacted with the HouseGuests. In 2017, Global announced that Big Brother Canada was going "on hiatus." However, Arisa Cox announced that there would be a sixth season of BBCAN.[12] The French Canadian version mostly followed the US/Anglophone Canadian format, but the public could evict a housemate on some occasions and decided the winner.

text: Big Brother Brasil combines the US/Canada and international formats. Brazil votes on evictions and the winner, but housemates compete for HoH, Power of Immunity, and Haves/Have-Nots. HoH nominates one housemate for eviction, while the rest of the house nominates a second housemate. Power of Immunity is similar to the US/Canada PoV, with the winner getting to choose not only someone to "take off the block" but also someone to punish.

text: The pilot for Big Brother China, which premiered exclusively online in 2015, had housemates voting on evictions but the public voting for the winner.[13] The same format was used for Big Brother: Over the Top, an online-only spinoff of the US series that ran in 2016.

text: Other editions[edit]

text: The Big Brother format has been otherwise modified in some countries:

text:
Big Brother: All-Stars (Belgium, 21 days; Bulgaria: Season 1–4, 27–29 days; United States, 72 days; United Kingdom, 18 days; French Canada, 64 days; Africa, 91 days; Spain, 56 days; Portugal Secret Story: Season 1–4, 22–50 days): Previous housemates from previous seasons compete. Belgium was the first country to have an All-Stars season (2003). Bulgaria was the first country to complete 3 All-Stars seasons (2014). Portugal was the first country to complete 4 All-Stars seasons (2015).
Big Brother: Reality All-Stars (Sweden, 6 days; Denmark, 32 days; Spain, 56 days): Contestants from different reality shows, including Big Brother, compete.
Big Brother: You Decide / Big Brother: Back in the House / Big Brother: Try Out (Poland: Season 1–2, 7–13 days; Norway, 9 days; Serbia, 7 days): Housemates, new or old, compete for a spot in the next regular season without nominations or evictions.
Teen Big Brother (United Kingdom, 10 days; Philippines: Season 1–4, 42–91 days): Teenagers 13 and older compete.
Big Brother: All In (Philippines: Season 11,13): A mix of teenagers, regular adults, and celebrities compete in one season. A variaton, Big Brother: Lucky 7, has three batch of housemates stay inside until a number for each batch is left, and is joined by other members of other batches to form one new batch.
Secret Story (France, Lithuania, Portugal, Netherlands, Peru & Albania): Each housemate has a secret.
Big Brother Panto (United Kingdom, 11 days): Housemates from previous series spent time in the Big Brother House to perform a pantomime at the series' end.
Big Brother – The Village (Germany: Season 6, 363 days): The village had a class system of bosses, assistants and servants, living in separate houses, who competed in mixed teams; winning bosses could promote employees, while losing bosses became servants. Cash prizes were awarded weekly in an ongoing contest.
Big Brother Family (Bulgaria: 81 days): Whole families entered the house with their spouses, children and relatives. They received a salary for their stay and the winning family received a cash prize, a car and an apartment.

text: There are also "test runs", with a group of celebrities (or journalists) living in the house for several days to test it. There are occasions where people who have auditioned for the show are also put in the house, most notably in the British edition, where many housemates claim to have met before. These series have been televised in Argentina, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Mexico, the Pacific region, the Philippines and Spain. In some cases, it is not broadcast, but in others, such as the US edition, it is used as a promotional tool.

text: Versions[edit]

text: As of 30 September 2017, Big Brother has produced 411 winners in over 54 franchises. The most recent winner is Nafeez Arav Kizar from  India.

text:
Country/Region
Local title
Network(s)
Winner(s)
Presenter(s)

   Africa

Big Brother Africa
M-Net
DStv (live)

Season 1, 2003:  Cherise Makubale
Season 2, 2007:  Richard Dyle Bezuidenhout
Season 3, 2008:  Ricardo Venancio
Season 4, 2009:  Kevin Chuwang
Season 5, 2010:  Uti Nwachukwu
Season 6, 2011:  Karen Igho &  Wendall Parsons
Season 7, 2012:  Keagan Petersen
Season 8, 2013:  Dillish Matthews
Season 9, 2014:  Idris Sultan
Season 10, TBA: Upcoming season

Current
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa (4–present)
Former
Kabelo Ngakane (2–3)
Mark Pilgrim (1)

 Albania
 Kosovo
Big Brother Albania
Top Channel
Digit-Alb

Season 1, 2008: Arbër Çepani
Season 2, 2009: Qetsor Ferunaj
Season 3, 2010: Jetmir Salaj
Season 4, 2010-11: Ermela Mezuraj
Season 5, 2012: Arbër Zeka
Season 6, 2013: Anaidi Kaloti
Season 7, 2014: Nevila Omeri
Season 8, 2015: Vesel Kurtishaj
Season 9, 2017: Danjel Dedndreaj & Fotini Derxho

Current:
Arbana Osmani (1–7, 9–)
Former:
Ledion Liço (8)

Big Brother VIP

Season 1, 2018: Upcoming season

TBA

 Angola
 Mozambique[14]
Big Brother Angola[15]
DStv[15]

Season 1, 2014: Larama da Silva
Season 2, 2015: Luna Vambano & Mr. Norway Vunge

 Dicla Burity (1–)
 Emerson Miranda (3)

Big Brother Angola e Moçambique
Season 3, 2016:  Anderson Mistake &  Papetchulo

   Arab World

Big Brother: الرئيس
Big Brother: The Boss
MBC 2
Season 1, 2004: Discontinued[16]
Razan Moughrabi

 Argentina
Gran Hermano
Telefe
Canal 4
DirecTV (live;1–3, 6–8)
Cablevisión (live; 4–5, 8)

Season 1, 2001: Marcelo Corazza
Season 2, 2001: Roberto Parra
Season 3, 2002–03: Viviana Colmenero
Season 4, 2007: Marianela Mirra
Season 5, 2007: Esteban Morais
Season 6, 2010–11: Cristian Urrizaga
Season 7, 2011–12: Rodrigo Fernández

Main host:

Soledad Silveyra (1–3)
Jorge Rial (4–6, 8-9)
Mariano Peluffo (7)

Debate:

Pamela David (8–9)

América TV

Season 8, 2015: Francisco Delgado
Season 9, 2016: Luis Fabián Galessio
Season 10, 2017: Upcoming season

Gran Hermano Famosos
Telefe
Cablevisión (live)

Season 1, 2007: Diego Leonardi
Season 2, 2017: Upcoming season

Jorge Rial (1)

 Australia
Big Brother Australia
Network Ten
 TV2 (1–3, 5)
 Prime (4)

Season 1, 2001: Ben Williams
Season 2, 2002: Peter Corbett
Season 3, 2003: Regina Bird
Season 4, 2004: Trevor Butler
Season 5, 2005: Greg Matthew
Season 6, 2006: Jamie Brooksby
Season 7, 2007: Aleisha Cowcher
Season 8, 2008: Terri Munro

Gretel Killeen (1-7)
Kyle Sandilands (8)
Jackie O (8)

Nine Network
 TV3 (10–11)

Season 9, 2012: Benjamin Norris
Season 10, 2013: Tim Dormer
Season 11, 2014: Ryan Ginns

Sonia Kruger

Celebrity Big Brother
Network Ten
Season 1, 2002: Dylan Lewis
Gretel Killeen

  Balkans

Veliki Brat – Big Brother
 RTL (4–5)
 B92 (1–3, 5)
 OBN (5)
 RTRS (5)
 Sitel (5)
 Prva (5)
 Pink BH (1–4)
 Pink M (1–4)
 Pink (4)
 A1 (3)

Season 1, 2006:  Ivan Ljuba
Season 2, 2007: Discontinued[17]
Season 3, 2009:  Vladimir Arsić
Season 4, 2011:  Marijana Čvrljak
Season 5, 2015:  Darko Petkovski

Marijana Mićić (1, 3–4)
Antonija Blaće (4–5)
Ana Grubin (2)
Sky Wikluh (5)

Veliki Brat VIP
 B92 (1–2, 5)
 BN (5)
 Prva (5)
 OBN (5)
 Sitel (5)
 Pink (3–4)
 Pink M (1–4)
 Pink BH (1–4)
 A1 (4)

Season 1, 2007:  Saša Ćurčić
Season 2, 2008:  Mimi Đurović
Season 3, 2009:  Miki Đuričić
Season 4, 2010:  Milan Marić
Season 5, 2013:   Žarko Stojanović

Marijana Mićić (3–5)
Milan Kalinić (2–3)
Ana Grubin (1–2)

Veliki Brat – Generalna proba[18]
 B92
Season 1, 2006:  Jelena Provči & Marko Miljković
Marijana Mićić

 Belgium
Big Brother
Kanaal Twee

Season 1, 2000: Steven Spillebeen
Season 2, 2001: Ellen Dufour
Season 3, 2002: Kelly Vandevenne
Season 4, 2003: Kristof van Camp
Season 5, 2006: Kirsten Janssens
Season 6, 2007: Diana Ferrante

Walter Grootaers

Big Brother VIPs
vtm
Kanaal Twee

Season 1, 2001: Sam Gooris
Season 2, 2006: Pim Symoens

No Presenters

Big Brother All-Stars
Kanaal Twee
Season 1, 2003: Heidi Zutterman
Walter Grootaers

 Brazil
Big Brother Brasil
Rede Globo
Multishow
Canal BBB (live on PPV)

Season 1, 2002: Kléber Bambam
Season 2, 2002: Rodrigo Leonel
Season 3, 2003: Dhomini Ferreira
Season 4, 2004: Cida dos Santos
Season 5, 2005: Jean Wyllys
Season 6, 2006: Mara Viana
Season 7, 2007: Diego Gasques
Season 8, 2008: Rafinha Ribeiro
Season 9, 2009: Max Porto
Season 10, 2010: Marcelo Dourado
Season 11, 2011: Maria Melillo
Season 12, 2012: Fael Cordeiro
Season 13, 2013: Fernanda Keulla
Season 14, 2014: Vanessa Mesquita
Season 15, 2015: Cézar Lima
Season 16, 2016: Munik Nunes
Season 17, 2017: Emilly Araújo
Season 18, 2018: Upcoming season

Current
Tiago Leifert (17–present)
Former
Pedro Bial (1–16)
Marisa Orth (1)

 Bulgaria
Big Brother
Nova Television
Nova+ (live; 1–4)
Diema Family (live; 5)

Season 1, 2004–05: Zdravko Vasilev
Season 2, 2005: Miroslav Atanasov
Season 3, 2006: Lyubov Stancheva
Season 4, 2008: Georgi Alurkov
Season 5, 2015: Nikita Jönsson

Main host:
Niki Kunchev (1–3, 5)
Milen Tsvetkov (4)
Co-host:
Evelina Pavlova (1–2)
Aleksandra Sarchadjieva (5)

Big Brother Family
Nova Television
Diema Family (live)

Season 1, 2010: Eli & Veselin Kuzmovi

Main host:
Niki Kunchev

VIP Brother
Nova Television
Nova+ (live; 1–2)
Diema 2 (live; 3)
Diema Family (live; 4)

Season 1, 2006: Konstantin Slavov
Season 2, 2007: Hristina Stefanova
Season 3, 2009: Deyan Slavchev
Season 4, 2012: Orlin Pavlov
Season 5, 2013: Stanka Zlateva
Season 6, 2014: Vladislav Karamfilov
Season 7, 2015: Gino Tashev
Season 8, 2016: Miglena Angelova
Season 9, 2017: Current Season

Main host:
Niki Kunchev
Co-host:
Evelina Pavlova (1)
Dimitar Rachkov (3)
Maria Ignatova (3)
Aleksandra Sarchadjieva (4–present)
Miglena Angelova (9–present)

Big Brother All Stars
Nova Television
Diema Family (live; 1)

Season 1, 2012: Nikola Nasteski - Lester
Season 2, 2013: Zlatka Dimitrova
Season 3, 2014: Todor Slavkov
Season 4, 2015: Desislava
Season 5, 2017: Upcoming Season

Main host:
Niki Kunchev
Co-host:
Aleksandra Sarchadjieva

 Canada
(English)
Big Brother Canada
Slice

Season 1, 2013: Jillian MacLaughlin
Season 2, 2014: Jon Pardy

Arisa Cox

Global

Season 3, 2015: Sarah Hanlon
Season 4, 2016: Nicholas & Philippe Paquette
Season 5, 2017: Kevin Martin
Season 6, 2018: Upcoming Season

 Canada
(French)
Loft Story
TQS[19]

Season 1, 2003: Julie Lemay & Samuel Tissot
Season 2, 2006: Mathieu Baron & Stéphanie Bélanger
Season 3, 2006: Shawn-Edward, Jean-Philippe Anwar & Kim Rusk
Season 4, 2007: Mathieu Surprenant
Season 5, 2008: Charles-Éric Boncoeur

Marie Plourde (3–5)
Isabelle Maréchal (2)
Renée-Claude Brazeau (1)

Loft Story: La Revanche
Season 6, 2009: Sébastien Tremblay
Pierre-Yves Lord

Big Brother
V
Season 1, 2010: Vincent Durand Dubé
Chéli Sauvé-Castonguay

 China
室友一起宅: 先导季
Big Brother China: Pilot Season
Youku
Tudou
Season 1, 2015-16: Tan Xiangjun
Zhou Wentao (Live Final)

 Colombia
Gran Hermano
Caracol TV
Season 1, 2003: Mónica Patricia Tejón
Adriana Arango

Citytv Bogotá[20]
Season 2, 2012: Diana Hernández
Agmeth Escaf

 Croatia
Big Brother
RTL

Season 1, 2004: Saša Tkalčević
Season 2, 2005: Hamdija Seferović
Season 3, 2006: Danijel Rimanić
Season 4, 2007: Vedran Lovrenčić
Season 5, 2008: Krešimir Duvančić
Season 6, 2016: Romano Obilinović
Season 7, 2017: Upcoming season

Daria Knez (1)
Neno Pavinčić (1)
Boris Mirković (1–3)
Renata Sopek (2–4)
Filip Brajković (4)
Marko Lušić (5)
Korana Gvozdić (5)
Marijana Batinić (6)
Antonija Blaće (2-5, 7- )

Celebrity Big Brother
Season 1, 2008: Danijela Dvornik
Antonija Blaće
Marko Lušić

 Czech Republic
Big Brother
TV NOVA
Season 1, 2005: David Šín

Eva Aichmajerová
Lejla Abbasová
Leoš Mareš

 Denmark
Big Brother
TV Danmark

Season 1, 2001: Jill Liv Nielsen
Season 2, 2002: Carsten B. Berthelsen
Season 3, 2004: Johnni Johansen

Lisbeth Janniche

Kanal 5

Season 4, 2012: Amanda Heisel
Season 5, 2013: Bjørn Clausen
Season 6, 2014: David Feldstedt

Oliver Bjerrehuus (6)
Anne Kejser (5)
Marie Egede (4)

Big Brother VIP
TV Danmark
Season 1, 2003: Thomas Bickham
Lisbeth Janniche

Big Brother Reality All-Stars
Season 1, 2005: Jill Liv Nielsen
Lisbeth Janniche

 Ecuador
Gran Hermano
Ecuavisa
Season 1, 2003: David Burbano
Toty Rodríguez

 Finland
Big Brother
Sub

Season 1, 2005: Perttu Sirviö
Season 2, 2006: Sari Nygren
Season 3, 2007: Sauli Koskinen
Season 4, 2008: Anniina Mustajärvi
Season 5, 2009:  Aso Alanso
Season 6, 2010: Niko Nousiainen
Season 7, 2011: Janica Kortman
Season 8, 2012: Teija Kurvinen
Season 9, 2014: Andte Gaup-Juuso

Elina Viitanen (6–8)
Susanna Laine (6–7)
Vappu Pimiä (3–5)
Mari Sainio (Kakko) (1–2, 9)

Julkkis Big Brother
Season 1, 2013: Jori Kopponen
Mari Sainio

 France
Loft Story
M6

Season 1, 2001: Christophe Mercy & Loana Petrucciani
Season 2, 2002: Karine Delgado & Thomas Saillofest

Benjamin Castaldi

Secret Story
TF1
NT1 (Daily recaps: 9–)
CanalSat (live; 1)

Season 1, 2007: Marjorie, Cyrielle & Johanna Bluteau
Season 2, 2008: Matthias Pohl
Season 3, 2009: Emilie Nefnaf
Season 4, 2010: Benoit Dubois
Season 5, 2011: Marie Garet
Season 6, 2012:  Nadège Jones
Season 7, 2013: Anaïs Camizuli
Season 8, 2014:   Leila Ben Khalifa
Season 9, 2015: Émilie Fiorelli

Current
Christophe Beaugrand (9–present)
Former
Benjamin Castaldi (1–8)
After Secret
Adrien Lemaître (3–)
Leila Ben Khalifa (9–)
Julie Taton (9–)
Nadège Lacroix (7)
Emilie Fiorelli(10–)

NT1

Season 10, 2016: Julien Geloën
Season 11, 2017: Current Season

 Germany
Big Brother
RTL 2
Sky (live; 10–11)
Clipfish (live; 10–11)
Premiere (live; 5–9)
VIVA (5, 9)
9Live (8)
Tele 5 (4–6)
MTV2 Pop (4–5)
RTL (2–3)
Single TV (2)

Season 1, 2000: John Milz
Season 2, 2000: Alida Nadine Kurras
Season 3, 2001: Karina Schreiber
Season 4, 2003: Jan Geilhufe
Season 5, 2004–05: Sascha Sirtl
Season 6, 2005–06: Michael Knopf
Season 7, 2007: Michael Carstensen
Season 8, 2008: Silke Kaufmann
Season 9, 2008–09: Daniel Schöller
Season 10, 2010: Timo Grätsch
Season 11, 2011: Marc Sonnen

Aleksandra Bechtel (4, 10–11)
Sonja Zietlow (Opening show, 11)
Miriam Pielhau (8–9)
Charlotte Karlinder (7–8)
Oliver Petszokat (6)
Ruth Moschner (5–6)
Oliver Geissen (2–3)
Percy Hoven (1)

sixx
Sky (live)
Season 12, 2015:  Lusy Skaya
Jochen Bendel

Promi Big Brother
Sat.1
sixx (2–4)
Bild (live; 4)
Sky (live; 3)
maxdome (live; 2)
Sky (live 3 hours; 1)
Sat.1 emotions (1)

Season 1, 2013: Jenny Elvers
Season 2, 2014:  Aaron Troschke
Season 3, 2015:  David Odonkor
Season 4, 2016: Ben Tewaag
Season 5, 2017: Jens Hilbert

Jochen Schropp (2–)
Jochen Bendel (5)
Cindy aus Marzahn (1)
Oliver Pocher (1)

 Greece
 Cyprus
Big Brother Greece
ANT1

Season 1, 2001: Giorgos Triantafyllidis
Season 2, 2002: Alexandros Moskhos
Season 3, 2003: Thodores Jspógloy
Season 4, 2005: Nikos Papadopoulos

Andreas Mikroutsikos (1–3)
Tatiana Stefanidou (4)

 Alpha TV
 Sigma TV

Season 5, 2010–11: Giannis Foukakis

Roula Koromila

 Hungary
Big Brother – Nagy testvér
TV2

Season 1, 2002: Éva Párkányi
Season 2, 2003: Zsófi Tóth

Claudia Liptai
Attila Till

Big Brother VIP

Season 1, 2003: Gábor Bochkor
Season 2, 2003: Lajos Boros
Season 3, 2003: Zolee Ganxsta

Való Világ powered by Big Brother[21]
RTL II

Season 8, 2016: Soma Farkas
Season 9, 2018: Upcoming season

Istenes Bence (6–)
Nádai Anikó (8)

 India
Bigg Boss
(Hindi Version)
SET
Season 1, 2006–07: Rahul Roy
Arshad Warsi

Colors TV
MTV India (11)

Season 2, 2008: Ashutosh Kaushik
Season 3, 2009: Vindu Dara Singh
Season 4, 2010–11: Shweta Tiwari
Season 5, 2011–12: Juhi Parmar
Season 6, 2012–13: Urvashi Dholakia
Season 7, 2013: Gauhar Khan
Season 8, 2014–15: Ali Quli Mirza, Dimpy Mahajan, Gautam Gulati, Karishma Tanna & Pritam Singh
Season 9, 2015–16: Prince Narula
Season 10, 2016–17: Manveer Gurjar
Season 11, 2017–18: Current season

Current
Salman Khan (4–present)
Former
Shilpa Shetty (2)
Amitabh Bachchan (3)
Sanjay Dutt (5)

Bigg Boss Halla Bol!
(Hindi Spin-Off)

Season 1, 2015: Gautam Gulati

Farah Khan

Bigg Boss Kannada
(Kannada Version)
ETV Kannada
Season 1, 2013: Vijay Raghavendra
Sudeep

Suvarna TV
Season 2, 2014: Akul Balaji

Colors Kannada (3–4)
Colors Super (4–present)

Season 3, 2015–16: Shruthi
Season 4, 2016–17: Pratham
Season 5, 2017–18: Current Season

Bigg Boss Bangla
(Bengali Version)
ETV Bangla
Season 1, 2013: Aneek Dhar
Mithun Chakraborty

Colors Bangla
Season 2, 2016: Joyjeet Banerjee
Jeet

Bigg Boss Tamil
(Tamil Version)
Star Vijay
Season 1, 2017: Nafeez Arav Kizar
Kamal Haasan

Bigg Boss Telugu
(Telugu Version)
Star Maa
Season 1, 2017: Siva Balaji
Jr. NTR

 Indonesia
Big Brother Indonesia
Trans TV
Season 1, 2011: Alan Wangsa

Ferdi Hassan
Indra Herlambang
Sarah Sechan
Shara Aryo

 Israel
האח הגדול
HaAh HaGadol
Channel 2-Keshet
HOT (live)
Yes (live)

Season 1, 2008: Shifra Cornfeld
Season 2, 2009–10: Eliraz Sadeh
Season 3, 2010–11: Yaakov Menahem
Season 4, 2012: Yekutiel Sebbag
Season 5, 2013: Tahounia Rubel
Season 6, 2014: Tal Gilboa
Season 7, 2015–16: Shay Mika Ifrah
Season 8, 2016–17: Avihai Ohana

Erez Tal
Korin Gideon (7–8)
Assi Azar (1–6)

Reshet 13

Season 9, 2018: Upcoming Season

TBA

VIP האח הגדול
HaAh HaGadol VIP
Channel 2-Keshet
HOT (live)
Yes (live)

Season 1, 2009: Dudi Melitz
Season 2, 2015: Moshik Afia

Erez Tal
Assi Azar (1–2)

 Italy
Grande Fratello
Canale 5
Stream TV (live; 1–3)
SKY (live; 4–5, 8–9)
Mediaset Premium (live; 6–12)

Season 1, 2000: Cristina Plevani
Season 2, 2001: Flavio Montrucchio
Season 3, 2003: Floriana Secondi
Season 4, 2004: Serena Garitta
Season 5, 2004:  Jonathan Kashanian
Season 6, 2006: Augusto De Megni
Season 7, 2007: Milo Coretti
Season 8, 2008: Mario Ferretti
Season 9, 2009:  Ferdi Berisa
Season 10, 2009–10: Mauro Marin
Season 11, 2010–11: Andrea Cocco
Season 12, 2011–12:  Sabrina Mbarek
Season 13, 2014: Mirco Petrilli
Season 14, 2015: Federica Lepanto
Season 15, 2018: Upcoming season

Current
Alessia Marcuzzi (6–14)
Former
Barbara D'Urso (3–5)
Daria Bignardi (1–2)

Grande Fratello VIP
Canale 5

Season 1, 2016:  Alessia Macari
Season 2, 2017: Current season

Ilary Blasi

 Lithuania
Paslapčių namai
The House of Secrets
TV3 Lithuania
Season 1, 2013: Gintautas Katulis

Agnė Grigaliūnienė
Marijus Mikutavičius

 Mexico
Big Brother México
Televisa
SKY (live)

Season 1, 2002: Rocío Cárdenas
Season 2, 2003: Silvia Irabien
Season 3, 2005: Evelyn Nieto

Verónica Castro (3)
Adela Micha (1–2)

Big Brother PM
Canal 5
SKY (live)

Season 4, 2015: Eduardo "Chile" Miranda

Adela Micha

Big Brother VIP
Televisa
SKY (live)

Season 1, 2002: Galilea Montijo
Season 2, 2003: Omar Chaparro
Season 3, 2004: Eduardo Videgaray
Season 4, 2004: Roxanna Castellanos
Season 5, 2005: Sasha Sökol

Verónica Castro (2–4)
Víctor Trujillo (1)

 Netherlands
Big Brother
Veronica

Season 1, 1999: Bart Spring in 't Veld
Season 2, 2000: Bianca Hagenbeek

Esther Duller (2)
Beau Van Erven Dorens (2)
Rolf Wouters (1)
Daphne Deckers (1)

Yorin

Season 3, 2001: Sandy Boots
Season 4, 2002: Jeanette Godefroy

Martijn Krabbé (4)
Patty Brard (3)

Talpa

Season 5, 2005: Joost Hoebink
Season 6, 2006: Jeroen Visser

Bridget Maasland (5–6)
Ruud de Wild (5)

Big Brother VIPs
Veronica
Season 1, 2000: No winner
Unknown

Talpa
Season 2, 2006: No winner
Caroline Tensen

Secret Story
NET 5
Season 1, 2011: Sharon Hooijkaas

Renate Verbaan
Bart Boonstra

 Nigeria
Big Brother Nigeria
M-Net
DStv (live)
Season 1, 2006: Katung Aduwak

Olisa Adibua
Michelle Dede

Big Brother Naija
GOtv
DStv (live)
Season 2, 2017: Efe Ejeba

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

 Norway
Big Brother Norge
TVN

Season 1, 2001: Lars Joakim Ringom
Season 2, 2002: Veronica Agnes Roso
Season 3, 2003: Eva Lill Baukhol

Trygve Rønningen (3)
Arve Juritzen (1–2)

TV 2 Bliss
Season 4, 2011: Tine Barstad

Petter Pilgaard
Sarah Natasha Melbye

 Pacific Region

Gran Hermano del Pacífico
 RedTeleSistema
 RedTV
 ATV
Season 1, 2005:  Juan Sebastián López

Lorena Meritano (Main)
Álvaro Ballera & Álvaro García (Regional)
Janine Leal (Regional)
Juan Francisco Escobar (Regional)

 Panama
Big Brother Panamá
TVN Canal 2
Season 1, 2016: Katherine Sandoval

Rolando Sterling
Gaby Garrido

 Peru
La Casa de Los Secretos
The House of Secrets
Frecuencia Latina
Season 1, 2012: Álvaro de la Torre

Carla García
Jason Day

 Philippines
Pinoy Big Brother
ABS-CBN
TFC (Worldwide)
SkyCable (live)
Studio 23 (live; 1–3)

Season 1, 2005: Nene Tamayo
Season 2, 2007: Beatriz Saw
Season 3, 2009–10: Melisa Cantiveros
Season 4, 2011–12: Slater Young

Current
Toni Gonzaga (1–4)
Bianca Gonzalez (1–4)
Robi Domingo (4)
Mariel Rodriguez (1–3)
Former
Willie Revillame (1)

Pinoy Big Brother
(Special Edition)

Season 5, 2014:  Daniel Matsunaga
Season 6, 2015:  Miho Nishida & Jimboy Martin
Season 7, 2016–17: Maymay Entrata

Current
Bianca Gonzalez (5–)
Mariel Rodriguez (7–)
Toni Gonzaga (5–)
Robi Domingo (5–)
Former
John Prats (5)
Enchong Dee (6)

Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition

Season 1, 2006: Keanna Reeves
Season 2, 2007–08: Ruben Gonzaga

Current
Toni Gonzaga (1–2)
Mariel Rodriguez (1–2)
Bianca Gonzalez (2)
Former
Luis Manzano (1)

Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition

Season 1, 2006: Kim Chiu
Season 2, 2008: Ejay Falcon
Season 3, 2010:  James Reid
Season 4, 2012: Myrtle Abigail Sarrosa

Current
Bianca Gonzalez (1–4)
Toni Gonzaga (2–4)
Robi Domingo (4)
John Prats (4)
Former
Mariel Rodriguez (1–3)
Luis Manzano (2)

 Poland
Big Brother
TVN

Season 1, 2001: Janusz Dzięcioł
Season 2, 2001: Marzena Wieczorek
Season 3, 2002: Piotr Borucki

Grzegorz Miecugow
Martyna Wojciechowska (1–3)
Andrzej Sołtysik (2–3)

TV4

Season 4, 2007: Jolanta Rutowicz
Season 5 (part 2), 2008: Janusz Strączek

Kuba Klawiter (4–5)
Małgorzata Kosik (5)
Karina Kunkiewicz (4)

Big Brother VIP
TV4
Season 5 (part 1), 2008: Jarek Jakimowicz

Kuba Klawiter
Małgorzata Kosik

 Portugal
Big Brother
TVI
TVI Eventos (live; 1)

Season 1, 2000: Zé Maria Seleiro
Season 2, 2001: Henrique Guimarães
Season 3, 2001: Catarina Cabral
Season 4, 2003: Fernando Geraldes

Teresa Guilherme

Big Brother Famosos
TVI
TVI Direct (live; VIP)

Season 1, 2002: Ricardo Vieira
Season 2, 2002: Vítor Norte

Big Brother VIP

Season 3, 2013: Pedro Guedes

Secret Story: Casa dos Segredos
TVI
TVI Direct (live; 1–5)
TVI Reality (live; 6–)

Season 1, 2010: António Queirós
Season 2, 2011: João Mota
Season 3, 2012: Rúben Boa Nova
Season 4, 2013: Luís Nascimento
Season 5, 2014: Elisabete Moutinho
Season 6, 2016: Helena Isabel

Teresa Guilherme (2–)
Júlia Pinheiro (1)

Secret Story: Desafio Final

Season 1, 2013: Cátia Palhinha
Season 2, 2014: Érica Silva
Season 3, 2015: Sofia Sousa
Season 4, 2017: Carlos Sousa

Teresa Guilherme

Secret Story: Luta Pelo Poder
Season 1, 2015: Bruno Sousa

 Romania
Big Brother
Prima TV

Season 1, 2003: Sorin Pavel Fisteag
Season 2, 2004: Iustin Popovici

Andreea Raicu
Virgil Ianțu

 Russia
Большой брат
Big Brother
TNT
Season 1, 2005: Anastasia Yagaylova
Ingeborga Dapkunaite

  Scandinavia[22]
Big Brother
 Kanal5
 FEM

Season 1, 2005:  Britt Goodwin
Season 2, 2006:  Jessica Lindgren

Brita Møystad Engseth
Hannah Rosander (2)
Adam Alsing (1)

 Kanal 9
 FEM
Season 3, 2014:  Anders Olsson

Pia Lykke
Adam Alsing

Second Life
Big Brother Second Life
World Wide Web
Season 1, 2006: Madlen Flint
None

 Slovakia
Big Brother Súboj
TV Markíza
Season 1, 2005: Richard Tkáč
Zuzana Belohorcová

 Slovenia
Big Brother
Kanal A

Season 1, 2007: Andrej Novak
Season 2, 2008: Naske Mehić
Season 3, 2015: Pia Filipčič
Season 4, 2016: Mirela Lapanović

Hosts:
Nina Osenar (1–2)
Ana Maria Mitič (3)
Manja Plešnar (4)

Co-hosts:
Matej Grm - Gušti (2)
Emi Nikočević (4)
Tibor Baiee (4)

Big Brother Slavnih
POP TV

Season 1, 2010: Jože Činč

Nina Osenar

 South Africa
Big Brother South Africa
M-Net
DStv (live)

Season 1, 2001: Ferdinand Rabie
Season 2, 2002: Richard Cawood

Mark Pilgrim
Gerry Rantseli

Big Brother Mzansi

Season 3, 2014: Mandla Hlatshwayo
Season 4, 2015: Ace Khumalo & Ntombi Tshabalala

Lungile Radu

Celebrity Big Brother
Season 1, 2002: Bill Flynn

Mark Pilgrim
Gerry Rantseli

 Spain
Gran Hermano
Telecinco (Main show and Debate)
Divinity (Daily highlights)
Mitele.es (live)

Season 1, 2000: Ismael Beiro
Season 2, 2001: Sabrina Mahí
Season 3, 2002: Javito García
Season 4, 2002–03: Pedro Oliva
Season 5, 2003–04: Nuria Yáñez
Season 6, 2004: Juanjo Mateo
Season 7, 2005–06: Pepe Herrero
Season 8, 2006:  Naiala Melo
Season 9, 2007: Judit Iglesias
Season 10, 2008–09: Iván Madrazo
Season 11, 2009–10: Ángel Muñoz
Season 12, 2010–11: Laura Campos
Season 13, 2012: Pepe Flores
Season 14, 2013: Susana Molina
Season 15, 2014: Paula González
Season 16, 2015: Sofía Suescún
Season 17, 2016: Beatriz Retamal
Season 18, 2017: Current season

Current
Jorge Javier Vázquez (17–18)
Former
Mercedes Milá (1–2, 4–16)
Pepe Navarro (3)
Debates:
Current
Jordi González (5–7, 9–13, 15–18;)
Maria Teresa Campos (18;)
Former
Jesús Vázquez (3–5)
Jorge Javier Vázquez (10)
Frank Blanco (12)

Gran Hermano VIP

Season 1, 2004:  Marlène Mourreau
Season 2, 2005:  Ivonne Armand
Season 3, 2015: Belén Esteban
Season 4, 2016: Laura Matamoros
Season 5, 2017:  Alyson Eckmann

Current
Jordi González (3–5)
Former
Jesús Vázquez (1–2)
Debates:
Current
Sandra Barneda (4–5)
Former
Carolina Ferre (1)
Jordi González (2–3)

Gran Hermano: El Reencuentro

Season 1, 2010: Pepe Herrero & Raquel López
Season 2, 2011: Juan Miguel Martínez & Yola Berrocal

Jordi González (2)
Mercedes Milá (1)

Gran Hermano: La Revuelta
Season 1, 2012:  Alessandro Livi
Mercedes Milá

 Sweden
Big Brother Sverige
Kanal5

Season 1, 2000: Angelica Freij
Season 2, 2002: Ulrica Andersson
Season 3, 2003: Danne Sörensen
Season 4, 2004: Carolina Gynning

Adam Alsing

TV11

Season 5, 2011: Simon Danielsson
Season 6, 2012: Hanna Johansson

Gry Forssell

Kanal 11

Season 7, 2015: Christian Sahlström

Adam Alsing

Big Brother Stjärnveckan
Kanal5
Season 1, 2002: Anki Lundberg
Adam Alsing

  Switzerland
Big Brother Switzerland
TV3

Season 1, 2000: Daniela Kanton
Season 2, 2001: Christian Ponleitner

Eva Wannemacher (2)
Daniel Fohrler (1)

 Thailand
Big Brother Thailand
iTV

Season 1, 2005: Nipon Perktim
Season 2, 2006: Arisa Sonthirod

Saranyu Vonkarjun
Nana Raibeena (2)

 Turkey
Big Brother Türkiye[23]
Star TV
Season 1, 2015–16: Sinan Aydemir
Asuman Krause[24]

 Ukraine
Big Brother Україна
K1
Season 1, 2011: Kristina Kotvickaja

Olga Gorbacheva
Oleksey Kurban

 United Kingdom
Big Brother
Channel 4 and
S4C (1–10)
TVN Lingua

Series 1, 2000: Craig Phillips
Series 2, 2001:  Brian Dowling
Series 3, 2002: Kate Lawler
Series 4, 2003: Cameron Stout
Series 5, 2004:  Nadia Almada
Series 6, 2005: Anthony Hutton
Series 7, 2006: Pete Bennett
Series 8, 2007:  Brian Belo
Series 9, 2008: Rachel Rice
Series 10, 2009: Sophie Reade
Series 11, 2010: Josie Gibson

Davina McCall

Channel 5
MTV (16–)
TV3 (16–)

Series 12, 2011: Aaron Allard-Morgan
Series 13, 2012:  Luke Anderson
Series 14, 2013: Sam Evans
Series 15, 2014: Helen Wood
Series 16, 2015: Chloe Wilburn
Series 17, 2016: Jason Burrill
Series 18, 2017: Isabelle Warburton
Series 19, 2018: Upcoming series

Current
Emma Willis (14–present)
Former
Brian Dowling (12–13)

Celebrity Big Brother
Channel 4 and
S4C (2–7)

Series 1, 2001: Jack Dee
Series 2, 2002: Mark Owen
Series 3, 2005: Bez
Series 4, 2006: Chantelle Houghton
Series 5, 2007:  Shilpa Shetty
Series 6, 2009:  Ulrika Jonsson
Series 7, 2010: Alex Reid

Davina McCall

Channel 5
MTV (15–)
TV3 (16–18)
3e (19–)

Series 8, 2011:  Paddy Doherty
Series 9, 2012: Denise Welch
Series 10, 2012: Julian Clary
Series 11, 2013: Rylan Clark
Series 12, 2013: Charlotte Crosby
Series 13, 2014: Jim Davidson
Series 14, 2014:  Gary Busey
Series 15, 2015: Katie Price
Series 16, 2015: James Hill
Series 17, 2016: Scotty T
Series 18, 2016: Stephen Bear
Series 19, 2017: Coleen Nolan
Series 20, 2017: Sarah Harding
Series 21, 2018: Upcoming series

Current
Emma Willis (12–present)
Former
Brian Dowling (8–11)

Teen Big Brother
Channel 4/E4 and
S4C
Series 1, 2003: Paul Brennan
Dermot O'Leary

Big Brother Panto
Series 1, 2004–05: No winner
Jeff Brazier
June Sarpong

Celebrity Hijack
Series 1, 2008: John Loughton
Dermot O'Leary

Ultimate Big Brother
Series 1, 2010:  Brian Dowling
Davina McCall

 United States
(English)
Big Brother
(Broadcast Edition)
CBS (1–)
Showtime 2 (8–14)
Pop (15–)

 Slice
 Global
 Global Reality Channel[25]
 E4 (4, 9)

Season 1, 2000: Eddie McGee
Season 2, 2001:  Will Kirby
Season 3, 2002: Lisa Donahue
Season 4, 2003:  Jun Song
Season 5, 2004: Drew Daniel
Season 6, 2005: Maggie Ausburn
Season 8, 2007: Dick Donato
Season 9, 2008: Adam Jasinski
Season 10, 2008: Dan Gheesling
Season 11, 2009: Jordan Lloyd
Season 12, 2010: Hayden Moss
Season 13, 2011: Rachel Reilly
Season 14, 2012: Ian Terry
Season 15, 2013: Andy Herren
Season 16, 2014: Derrick Levasseur
Season 17, 2015: Steve Moses
Season 18, 2016: Nicole Franzel
Season 19, 2017: Josh Martinez[26]
Season 20, 2018: Upcoming season[26]

Julie Chen

Big Brother: All-Stars
Season 7, 2006: Mike Malin

Big Brother: Over The Top
(Digital Edition)
CBS All Access
Season 1, 2016: Morgan Willett

Celebrity Big Brother
CBS
Season 1, 2018: Upcoming season

 United States
(Spanish)
Gran Hermano USA
Telemundo
Season 1, 2016: Pedro Orta[27]
Giselle Blondet

 Vietnam
Người giấu mặt
VTV6
Season 1, 2013–14: Hoàng Sơn Việt
Huy Khánh

text: Controversies[edit]

text: Legal[edit]

text: In April 2000, Castaway, an independent production company, filed a lawsuit against John de Mol and Endemol for stealing the concepts of their own show called Survive!, a reality television show where contestants are placed on a deserted island and have to take care of themselves alone. These contestants were also filmed by cameras around them.[28] The court later dismissed the lawsuit filed by Castaway against de Mol and Endemol. The Survive! reality television format was later turned into Survivor.[29]

text: In 2000, the estate of George Orwell sued CBS Television and Endemol for copyright and trademark infringement, claiming that the program infringed on the Orwell novel Nineteen Eighty-Four and its trademarks. After a series of court rulings adverse to the defendants (CBS and Endemol), the case was settled for an undisclosed amount of money on the eve of trial.[30][31][32][33][34]

text: Sexual assault[edit]

text: There have been two documented occurrences of possible rape happening during the show. In Big Brother South Africa, a male housemate was accused of assaulting a fellow housemate while she was asleep. The pair were filmed kissing and cuddling in bed before the cameras moved away and the male housemate reportedly claimed to housemates the next day that he had intercourse with the contestant. However, the female housemate was apparently shocked by the claims and informed female housemates that she had not consented to having sex with him. (Under South African law, this act would be constituted as rape.)[35] This male housemate was expelled immediately after the allegations surfaced, while the female housemate was removed from the house for her own protection and counselling.

text: In Big Brother Brasil, many viewers reported that they watched a male housemate allegedly force himself on a female housemate while she was passed-out drunk after a "boozy party".[36] As a result, the male housemate was later escorted out of the Big Brother house by the federal police.