Courtesy of CBS
'Big Brother: Over the Top' will begin streaming live on Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
Big Brother is taking a short hiatus this fall.
CBS All Access on Thursday revealed details for the forthcoming new digital edition of the long-running reality competition, which will launch just seven days after the Big Brother 18 finale.
Premiering live on the streaming subscription service on Wednesday, Sept. 28, at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, Big Brother: Over the Top will run over 10 weeks. In addition to the 24/7 live feeds, chats and impact votes already available on CBS All Access during the network installments, Big Brother: Over the Top will air a weekly hourlong episode with live evictions and more features designed for a multiplatform audience, according to the network. Julie Chen will continue to host.
Other details, including casting, will be announced at a later date. It is unclear if the digital edition's shorter run also will mean a fewer number of contestants to take home the top prize. The current season, which wraps Sept. 21, features 16 contestants competing over a 13-week period.
“We are very excited to embark on this new adventure for Big Brother,” executive producer Allison Grodner said in a statement. "With the unique streaming format, not only will viewers get to see everything play out live, including ceremonies and competitions, the audience will also participate in the show like never before. Each week will offer unprecedented interactive opportunities that will have an immediate impact on the game.”
Like the network edition, Grodner exec produces Big Brother: Over the Top with Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment, in association with Endemol Shine North America.
CBS formally announced the new digital edition last month. The original Big Brother, which recently earned a two-season renewal for seasons 19 and 20, will continue to air in the summer on the network.
Big Brother: Over the Top is one of three original series coming to CBS All Access, the others being Star Trek: Discovery and a spinoff of The Good Wife. The latter two scripted series are set to launch in early 2017.
Thursday's Big Brother: Over the Top announcement comes days after the subscription streaming service unveiled a new commercial-free option for $9.99 a month. The other option, with commercials, costs $5.99 a month.
