Summer just doesn’t feel right without the sound of Julie Chen Moonves saying "But first." Honestly, if you're like me, you've probably been refreshing your feed for months trying to nail down exactly when the madness starts. Well, the wait is basically over. The big brother premiere date 2025 is officially set for Thursday, July 10, 2025, and it’s looking like one of the most chaotic setups we’ve seen in years.
CBS isn't just sticking to the old playbook this time. They are leaning hard into a 90-minute premiere that starts at 8:00 PM ET/PT. It's a bit of a shift since we've gotten used to those Wednesday night moves, but this Thursday kickoff is clearly designed to grab everyone's attention right before the weekend.
The Big Brother Premiere Date 2025 and That Supersized Schedule
Most people get the schedule wrong because CBS loves to tinker with it. While the show kicks off on a Thursday, it doesn't stay there exclusively. You've got to keep your calendar messy. After that July 10th launch, the second 90-minute episode hits on Sunday, July 13.
Why the extra time?
Rumor has it they want to introduce the full cast of 16 houseguests—plus a massive 17th surprise—without rushing the intros. If you remember last year, they split the move-in, which kinda killed the vibe for some fans. This year, they want the energy high from the jump.
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The Weekly Rhythm
Once we get through that first week, the show settles into a "mostly" predictable groove. But notice the "mostly."
- Wednesdays: 90-minute episodes (8:00–9:30 PM ET). CBS saw how well this worked for Survivor and decided the Big Brother editors needed more room to breathe.
- Thursdays: Live evictions at 8:00 PM ET. These stay at an hour, mostly because live TV is expensive and stressful.
- Sundays: Nomination episodes at 8:00 PM ET.
Then there's the weird part. We're getting a companion show called Big Brother: Unlocked. It starts Friday, July 25. It’s not every week, though; it’s every other Friday. It's hosted by BB legends Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur, which basically means we’re getting actual strategy talk instead of just fluff.
Why "Hotel Mystère" Changes Everything
This isn't just a house. It’s a "murder mystery hotel" theme. They’re calling it Hotel Mystère. Think hidden passageways, 75 key boxes in the reception area, and a vibe that feels more like an escape room than a backyard.
The big brother premiere date 2025 is also the night we finally see the 17th houseguest. Spoilers (the real kind) confirmed it’s actually Rachel Reilly. Bringing a former winner back into a house of newbies is usually a recipe for a "vet vs. newbie" war, and honestly, that’s exactly what the producers are banking on.
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What the Experts Are Saying
Dalton Ross from Entertainment Weekly and Mike Bloom over at Parade have both pointed out that this 25th-anniversary season (technically the 27th season, but 25 years since the 2000 debut) is about "original hours." CBS is trying to maximize the amount of content they get out of this cast.
It makes sense. The live feeds on Paramount+ are the show's biggest selling point. Starting on July 10 and running for 83 days—ending on September 28, 2025—gives us nearly three full months of 24/7 surveillance.
Avoiding the "Late Summer" Trap
A lot of fans complain that the show starts too late. In the early 2000s, we used to get June premieres. Now, CBS uses Big Brother as a "bridge" to the fall season. By starting in mid-July, they ensure that the finale happens right as the big September scripted shows are ready to take over.
It’s a business move.
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If they started in June, the show would wrap in August, leaving a "dead zone" in September. By pushing the big brother premiere date 2025 to July 10, they keep the audience engaged through the transition. It’s annoying if you’re a student heading back to school in August, but for the network, it’s pure gold.
What You Should Do Now
If you want to stay ahead of the game, don't just wait for the episodes. The real show happens on the feeds.
- Clear your Thursday night. July 10 is the big one. Set your DVR for 90 minutes, not 60.
- Get Paramount+ ready. The feeds usually go live a few hours after the West Coast airing of the premiere.
- Follow the "Leakers." Accounts like Hamsterwatch are usually more accurate than the official promos when it comes to the actual move-in times.
- Watch the "Unlocked" episodes. Since Taylor and Derrick are involved, these will likely give us the "Diary Room" insights that the main broadcast edits out.
The big brother premiere date 2025 is the start of a long, sleep-deprived summer. Whether you’re here for the strategy or just the "showmances," the Hotel Mystère is about to open its doors. Just don't expect everyone to check out at the end.
Actionable Insight: Download the CBS or Paramount+ app now and set notifications for "Big Brother." Historically, they drop "Meet the Houseguests" videos about 48 to 72 hours before the premiere, and those are essential for picking your winner early.