Big Brother 26: Premiere Date, Cast, Theme and Everything We Know

Julie Chen Moonves, the host of Big Brother 26
Photo Credit: Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images

Big Brother season is upon us, with Season 26 right around the corner. will kick off with a two-night premiere on Wednesday, July 17 at 9 p.m. on CBS. Much about the upcoming season is still under wraps but host Julie Chen Moonves has been sharing clues via Instagram.

While we wait for the premiere, let’s recap what we know so far.

When does Big Brother Season 26 air?

Big Brother Season 26 will premiere on Wednesday, July 17, and Thursday, July 18, at 9 p.m. on CBS with a two-night premiere.

Big Brother will then airs Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 9 p.m. on CBS and Paramount+. The show has been moved back an hour from its original 8 p.m. timeslot on Sundays and Wednesdays. In addition to the episodes, viewers can watch the houseguests 24/7 on the Live Feeds on Paramount+. You’ll need a subscription to access the feeds. The subscription costs $11.99 per month.

Who is the Big Brother 26 host?

Julie Chen Moonves will return to host the 26th season of Big Brother.

The former News Anchor has hosted the show since it premiered in the summer of 2000. She spoke about her job of 24 years in an interview with Parade earlier this month.

“I love hosting the show because it’s gotten to the point where I feel like all these houseguests are my children,” she said. “I love to look at all these people and even those who suddenly America has turned on and hate them. Give them a chance at redemption. Give them a chance to see themselves the way America saw them, and give them a chance to explain and change.”

What is the theme for Big Brother 26?

The Big Brother 26 theme is AI, otherwise known as artificial intelligence.

Earlier this month, Julie teased via Instagram that the theme of BB26 is “BBAI.” The official Big Brother Instagram account posted a teaser trailer for the new season, which featured photos of the house transformed into a futuristic paradise. Julie spoke about the AI theme in an interview.

“Everyone is talking about AI,” she said. “I like to call it artificial intelligence BB style.”

She continued, “We are leaning into the madness but giving it our own special sauce. It’s going to be funny, it’s going to be tongue-in-cheek, it’s going to be a little bit scary.”

She also spoke about how the AI-theme inspired the bedroom designs. She told ET one bedroom looks like it is from the movie Avatar, while another resembles Tomorrowland at Disneyland.”

What does the Have-Not room look like in Big Brother Season 26?

The Big Brother 26 Have-Not room
Photo Credit: Monty Brinton/CBS via Getty Images

The have-not room is a staple of BB. The nightmarish room is designed to punish the houseguests. Each week, a few houseguests are labeled “have-nots,” which means they have to eat slop and sleep in a seriously uncomfortable bedroom.

This season’s have-not room reflects the AI theme. Julie shared her thoughts on the latest torture chamber, telling the outlet that the houseguests are in for a challenge.

“I think the beds look like coffins,” she said. “I think it’s the most uncomfortable ever. It doesn’t look like a bedroom.”

Big Brother 26 cast

  • Angela Murray, 50
  • Quinn Martin, 25
  • Leah Peters, 26
  • Tucker Des Laruriers, 30
  • Kenny Kelley, 52
  • Lisa Weintraub, 33
  • Kimo Apaka, 35
  • Makensy Manbeck, 22
  • Brooklyn Rivera, 34
  • Matt Hardeman, 25
  • Chelsie Baham, 27
  • Joseph Rodriguez, 30
  • Cedric Hodges, 21
  • Rubina Bernabe, 35
  • T-Kor Clottey, 23
  • Cam Sullivan-Brown, 25

The cast list for Season 26 was released on Monday, July 15. As of right now, 16 houseguests will compete for the chance to win the coveted $750,000 prize. Julie said the houseguests will be split up this year, meaning eight houseguests will move in on Wednesday and the remaining eight will enter the house on Thursday.

So, who’s in the cast? First off, there are no returning players this season. The cast list features 16 newbies, ranging from 21 to 52 years old. The Season 26 cast includes several unique characters, including a former undercover cop, a celebrity chef, and a crochet business owner.

How many days will Big Brother 26 be?

Big Brother Season 26 will be 90 days.

A typical Big Brother season is 85 to 90 days. Last year, production extended the season to 100 days, which upset some viewers. Many fans felt the season felt too long and criticized the number of twists added to the game. Thankfully, CBS announced BB26 would return to a normal schedule of 90 days. The network revealed that the season finale would take place on Sunday, October 13.

Tune into part one of the Big Brother Season 26 premiere on Wednesday at 9 p.m. on CBS. And remember, when it comes to BB, always expect the unexpected.

TELL US – WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE BBAI THEME? ARE YOU PLANNING TO WATCH THE BIG BROTHER 26 PREMIERE?

X