Big Brother’s ITV reboot delayed until Autumn 2023
Fans of Big Brother will have to wait a little longer for the reality TV series return after it was revealed that the iconic show has been pushed back to Autumn 2023.
It was confirmed in August that the beloved Channel 4 series would comeback to screens next year following a five-year hiatus after being revived by ITV.
The influential reality TV programme aired for 18 years in the UK until it was axed in 2018 after moving to Channel 5.
It was previously announced that it would return in 2023 on ITV2 and new streaming platform ITVX, with its famous house featuring a "contemporary new look".
The news was confirmed at the time by a promotional video that aired during the Love Island series finale on ITV2.
Following the news, it was reported by Broadcast Now that the show would air in Spring but it’s now believed that the launch has been pushed back several months due to the broadcaster’s jam-packed reality TV schedule.
First, viewers will see Winter Love Island return with host Maya Jama now at the helm while a very special series of I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! set in South Africa is due to be broadcast soon after.
A source told The Standard: “Owing to the influx of big reality TV programming on air during the first half of 2022 they’ve taken the decision to move the transmission of Big Brother to a more prominent slot in the Autumn.
“It gives viewers a whole calendar of big reality TV formats across the year.”
The Standard also understands that casting for the series is now set to be extended until the summer.
Back in August, it was revealed that a cast of “carefully selected housemates from all walks of life” will live together for up to six weeks as the public watch on via the house’s network of surveillance cameras in the reboot.
Big Brother’s trademark live evictions will also return with the public once again voting throughout the series and ultimately deciding the winner of the cash prize.
Paul Mortimer, director of reality commissioning and acquisitions and controller of ITV2, ITVBe and CITV, said at the time: “This refreshed, contemporary new series of Big Brother will contain all the familiar format points that kept viewers engaged and entertained the first time round, but with a brand new look and some additional twists that speak to today’s audience.
“We’re beyond excited to bring this iconic series to ITV2 and ITVX where it should especially engage with our younger viewers.”
Natalka Znak, chief executive of Initial, Remarkable Entertainment and Znak TV, added: “Big Brother is the original and best reality format and one that I have never made before so it’s a huge privilege to be making an all new version with ITV2 and ITVX.
“Working with Claire O’Donohoe and the talented team at Initial, Katy Manley and Cat Lynch. This is going to be epic.”
