What to expect for the first week of Big Brother

Weekly schedule not exempt from shuffling

Big Brother returns to our screens next Monday, July 29, with 12 housemates and a 2-hour launch show at 7pm – just half an hour longer than last year’s launch.

Foxtel’s advanced guide reveals a 90 minute live special will air on Tuesday, July 30, where two new housemates will be thrown into the fire with a task dubbed the “almost impossible”. Wednesday is expected to be an hour long daily show followed by a 30 minute edition of Big Brother Confidential – one of the worst shows that graced our screens last year (2nd only to Little Sister).

As the week goes on things get a little less clear, with Thursday’s show still yet to be determined – a 90 minute window is currently vacant from 7-8.30pm. Friday is looking like a write off with no Big Brother show scheduled, due to an NRL telecast. Whether this is a once off or a sign of things to come is anyone’s guess. Last year, Big Brother aired for just 30 minutes on Fridays.

New this year is Big Brother Saturday Showdown, airing each Saturday for the first 4 weeks of the series at 6:30 pm. This is the “Games Night” show that has been hinted online and may share some similarities with the old Friday Night Live. The twist, which has been at the centre of this year’s promo campaign, will be front and centre during Saturday Showdown. Behind Big Brother understands the twist will involve a sort of rich-poor, have & have-nots situation which could alter the housemate’s time in the house. Nine’s Shelley Craft will host this show, while Mike Goldman and Michael Beveridge (2012 housemate) will commentate. Join in the discussions about Saturday Showdown on our forums.

Week 2 will start off with a rather uncreatively named “Live Surprise” show on Monday, August 5 at 7pm. The weekly live shows will now take place on the Monday of each week, while Australia’s Got Talent takes the old 6.30pm Sunday timeslot.

Nine will air repeats of most Big Brother shows the following afternoon on GO!

UPDATE 23/07: Big Brother will produce a Friday daily show – it will air for 30 minutes before the NRL. Thursday has a 90 minute edition of Big Brother scheduled at 7.

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