Entertainment

'BB: OTT' Allows For Fan Interaction

Big Brother 18 is over, but that doesn’t mean the show’s producers are resting on their laurels. Big Brother: Over The Top is starting on Sept. 28, and things are being shaken up in a big way, and fans are being included more than ever. How do you vote on Big Brother: Over The Top ? According to Deadline, voting has actually already started — on the CBS website, fans voted to add Season 18 players Jozea Flores or Jason Roy as the last houseguest on Big Brother: Over The Top.

Both of these guys were eliminated too soon on their own season, so it will be fun to see who gets thrown into the mix on the new show — keep in mind, though, that only subscribers to CBS All-Access can place their votes. A press release from CBS says, “Fans will choose the winner of Big Brother: Over The Top and impact the game like never before.” Apparently, the folks at home will have influence on everything from nominations to evictions. Knowing Big Brother, I’m sure there will be many more twists and turns. All will be revealed “during the first week of Big Brother: Over The Top. The fact that the winner of Big Brother: Over The Top will be chosen by fans is a pretty big deal, and a twist that will certainly have more viewers subscribing and tuning in.

Now, remember — this season of Big Brother: Over The Top will not be airing on television. CBS has enough new shows to worry about than try and fit three nights of Big Brother in their lineup. No, instead, Big Brother: Over The Top will air exclusively on CBS All-Access, which is $5.99 a month or $9.99 a month, depending on whether or not you want to eliminate commercials. That’s the only way you can watch Big Brother: Over The Top.

The schedule is a little different, too. According to Deadline, there will be a weekly full episode with a rundown of the week’s events and a live eviction ceremony on Wednesdays at 10pm ET/7pm PT; a daily quick recap on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10pm ET/7pm PT; “safety ceremonies” Saturday and Sunday at 10pm ET/7pm ET; and live diary room sessions Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:30pm ET/7:30pm PT. Julie Chen will chat with any evicted houseguests on Thursday afternoon, and times will vary for that segment. Here’s a handy schedule to help you plan your viewing.

If Big Brother: Over The Top goes well, it will be a great boost for CBS and its streaming apps. Some fans may balk at paying to watch their favorite show, but if subscribers increase, there will likely be more streaming-only shows in CBS' future, and maybe in the future of other network television channels. Streaming is king, and network television has to shape up or ship out. Big Brother: Over The Top is a grand experiment in both social television and streaming-only shows.

Images: Sonja Flemming/CBS; Giphy (2); CBS