Big Brother Canada also confirms plans to end early over coronavirus pandemic
Update – March 24: Big Brother Canada has confirmed that it will also be ending its current series early amid the ongoing global coronavirus outbreak.
Although production was still underway on the series as of last week, Global and Insight Productions have now confirmed that production on the series is over, with the series due to end nearly two months ahead of the planned finale date of May 21.
The final two episodes will now air this Wednesday (March 25) and next Wednesday (April 1), and there will be no winner this season. Plans for the $100,000 prize money will be revealed in the final episode.
"Even though it hurts to say goodbye to the season, it's the right thing to do," Big Brother Canada host Arisa Cox said in a statement.
"On behalf of the incredible people who put this show together, thank you to everyone who started this journey with us. Please take care and be safe!"
The season is over. ❤️💔 #BBCAN8
— Arisa Cox (@arisacox) March 24, 2020
Original: Big Brother series currently airing in Italy and India are set to end earlier than planned amid the coronavirus pandemic.
With production on scripted dramas and soaps, including EastEnders, Neighbours and Stranger Things, being suspended around the world as countries continue to try and limit the spread of coronavirus, reality shows are now following suit as production companies reveal plans to wrap up some of their currently-airing series early.
Among them is the celebrity version of Big Brother in Italy, Grande Fratello VIP, which will now be airing its final episode on April 8, three weeks earlier than the planned finale date of April 27.
Italy is currently on government-ordered lockdown after it became one of the worst-hit countries in the coronavirus pandemic. Housemates were informed of the situation in a video message from host Alfonso Signorini earlier this month, and have been getting daily updates about the situation too.
Meanwhile, a Malayalam-language series of Big Brother in India, Bigg Boss, is also expected to end early after production company Endemol Shine India confirmed it would be suspending all of its administrative and production departments until further notice.
"Endemol Shine India is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees, cast and crew," the company said in a statement. "We have currently announced a voluntary suspension of all our administrative and production departments until further notice in light of the pandemic spread of COVID-19."
In light of the ongoing global health crisis, we wish for everyone to stay calm and stay safe.#LetsFightCorona pic.twitter.com/xML1sfVjyd
— Endemol Shine India (@EndemolShineIND) March 17, 2020
Meanwhile, Big Brother series in other countries are still going ahead with the likes of Big Brother Canada and Big Brother Israel confirming that they planned to continue with their series.
"Global and Insight Productions will continue to broadcast and produce Big Brother Canada as scheduled until further notice," one statement read.
"We continue to monitor the situation closely and will advise on any changes to the production or broadcast schedules."
Big Brother production company Endemol Shine has instructed all versions of the reality format worldwide to treat the coronavirus pandemic as an exception to the 'no contact with the outside world' rules, with housemates being kept fully updated on any new developments.
It comes after Big Brother in Germany recently told its housemates of the current global crisis during a live episode.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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