I've asked David Knox and awaiting a reply. Meanwhile the site that shall not be named TV Blackbox posted a week ago that it's today: "The network is also gearing up for its 2026 Upfronts presentation on Wednesday".Anyone have an idea of what time are the upfronts being held at? Hopefully not the middle of the night here in Canada.
This is the main reason why I hate it. I hope it’s true that it’s just the fan zone, because the space is tiny and on screen it’ll look small and cheap with a lack of a vibe. It’s basically 3 walls with a screen on the side… atleast BBUK has more style, curves and design to it than that.As for that area being the stage I’m standing firm that it isn’t. While I expect changes that area is just WAY too small. OG BB live shows were known for a larger than life atmosphere and there’s honestly no way anyone in their right mind could believe they could try and emulate that kind of atmosphere in that space. It’s either the Fan Pit or some sort of VIP/Press area.
He replied "Embargo is lifting 7:30pm AEDT"I've asked David Knox and awaiting a reply.
1:30 a.m. in Calgary, AB. Will be sleeping but I guess it gives me something to wake up to Thursday morning lolHe replied "Embargo is lifting 7:30pm AEDT"
I'm SHOOKI'll be up for the premiere on Sunday though
You're not wrong. I think the overall announcement and successful build up to the new season has set expectations high, at least among many in this group and some facebook comments I've read. Many are still determined to have FNL. The set does look extremely temporary and a little flimsy compared to the OG run, which I think is part and parcel of how the show is made these days. The garden is separated by a thin piece of plywood...Like, I don’t know what else people were expecting - perhaps I lowered my expectations (for a change, haha) but this is almost exactly what I imagined they’d produce. And it actually looks pretty decent. You can’t base a full opinion from a distant drone shot in the middle of the day, especially when it’s clear that area is made for a night set-up with full lighting, etc.
I mean, the whole set is literally in the middle of Dreamworld. Theoretically it has to be temporary enough and able to be pulled down and re-built (if necessary) between seasons.
Plus, I’m now doubting that’s the main stage. All signs are pointing to it being the Fan Pit - an entry/exit point for the HMs (i.e. the house entrance archways are even constructed within the eye), with the main event and eviction interviews staged elsewhere. It’s no different to BBUK. Even our main stage for 2025 (wherever it is) was always going to be smaller than the auditorium from 2001 regardless.
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Will be interesting to see what it looks like on TV. I don’t hate it. If the show is a success, maybe they can build on something bigger and/or permanent. The auditorium and stage looked very different in 2001 to what it became. As long as they have an eviction couch for the interviews, I will be happy. Do not let them have to stand or sit on stools like the 2012 series. That was a shocker.I still think it could be the building directly to the left of the eye stage. There’s even an entry that’s finished, and positioned at just the right angle to potentially appear on-screen (picture an audience in this space too):
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I'll do what I can for events on the weekend but otherwise I'm going to be behind by almost 24 hours M - FI'm SHOOK![]()
Analysing and theorising is my middle name.I love how you guys are analysing the pictures closely and pointing out different things. I wouldn’t have noticed half of what you guys have discovered so far. Thank you.
We've been waiting a loooong time and are grasping at straws at times.I love how you guys are analysing the pictures closely and pointing out different things. I wouldn’t have noticed half of what you guys have discovered so far. Thank you.
Amen to that. How awkward was it having people sitting on stools on the stage?As long as they have an eviction couch for the interviews