You’re sitting there, remote in hand, snacks prepped, ready for Julie Chen Moonves to hit you with a "But first." We’ve all been there. You’re frantically searching for what time is big brother tonight because the schedule feels like it was written by someone trying to confuse us on purpose.
Honestly? If you're looking for a fresh episode right now, on January 16, 2026, I’ve got some news that might bum you out.
The Reality Check on Tonight’s Schedule
Here is the blunt truth: There is no new episode of Big Brother US airing tonight.
I know, it’s a total buzzkill. Usually, we’re used to the summer chaos where CBS dominates our Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. But since we are currently in the middle of January, the house in Studio City is empty. No alliances are being whispered in the storage room. Nobody is crying in the Diary Room because someone ate their leftovers.
If you see Big Brother on your TV guide tonight, it is almost certainly a rerun or you're looking at a different international version.
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What happened to the Winter seasons?
Remember Celebrity Big Brother? It used to be our January lifeline. We’d get a frantic three-week burst of C-list celebs playing the game for our amusement. However, the 2026 winter schedule for CBS is packed with midseason returns like Sheriff Country and Fire Country.
CBS has pivoted. They’re leaning heavily into their procedural dramas right now. While we hoped for a surprise Celebrity Big Brother 4 or even a "Legends" shortened season, the network hasn't pulled the trigger. Basically, they're keeping the lights off until the summer heat kicks in.
When Does the Game Actually Start?
If you’re wondering what time is big brother tonight because you're planning for the future, you need to mark your calendar for July.
Historically, Big Brother US (Season 28 is the next big one) premieres in early to mid-July. Last year, we saw a July 10 kickoff. If the pattern holds—and CBS loves a pattern—you can expect the live feeds to start buzzing again around the second week of July 2026.
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- Sundays at 8:00 PM ET: Usually the "nomination" episodes where the HOH shows their cards.
- Wednesdays at 8:00 PM ET: The Veto episodes. These are 90 minutes long now, which is a godsend for fans who want more than just "filler" segments.
- Thursdays at 8:00 PM ET: The live eviction. This is the only one that truly matters if you hate spoilers.
What about Big Brother: Unlocked?
One thing that really threw people off last season was the addition of Big Brother: Unlocked. It aired on certain Fridays. If you are seeing a Friday listing in your guide, it might be a remnant of that "companion" show format. But again, for January 2026, that show isn't in production.
International Check: Is it on Elsewhere?
Sometimes when we search for what time is big brother tonight, we forget there’s a whole world of backstabbing outside the US.
- Big Brother UK: ITV has been a bit cagey. They’ve confirmed Celebrity Big Brother and the civilian version are coming back, but they pushed the 2026 celebrity launch back to later in the year. If you’re in the UK, tonight is a "no-go" for the live show.
- Big Brother Canada: This is the real heartbreak. Global officially cancelled Big Brother Canada after Season 12. There is no Season 13 planned for 2026. Unless a miracle happens and another network picks it up, the Canadian house is officially closed.
Why the Live Feeds Are Your Only Hope Right Now
Since there isn't a new episode tonight, what do you do with that craving for social strategy?
You go to the archives. Paramount+ is basically a museum of Big Brother history at this point. If you missed Season 27 (the one with the "Unlocked" twist), it’s all there.
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Honestly, some of the best gameplay happened in the middle of the night on the live feeds anyway. You can find "best of" clips from the 24/7 feeds on YouTube or fan sites like Big Brother Network or Hamsterwatch. They track the stuff that never actually made it to the televised episodes—like the 3:00 AM fights over a bag of chips.
Common Misconceptions About the Start Time
People often get confused because local affiliates sometimes delay the show for football or local news specials.
- The "East Coast" Trap: If you’re on the East Coast, the show is usually 8:00 PM.
- The "West Coast" Delay: If you’re in LA or Seattle, you’re often watching a tape delay unless you have a specific streaming setup that allows for the live East Coast feed.
- The Sports Factor: If it were Thursday during the season and there was a Thursday Night Football conflict, Big Brother would get bumped to a weird slot like 1:30 AM. Thankfully, we don't have to worry about that tonight since the show isn't even in season.
How to Prepare for the Next Season
Since you can't watch a new episode tonight, the best thing you can do is get your "viewing kit" ready for the summer.
Stop checking the TV guide every five minutes and go follow the casting directors on social media. Jesse Tannenbaum is usually the guy in charge of finding the next "villain" we all love to hate. If you see him posting about casting calls, that’s your first real sign that the show is coming back.
Actionable Steps for the Disappointed Fan:
- Check Paramount+: They often have "Sizzle Reels" or "Where Are They Now" segments for past houseguests.
- Set a Google Alert: Use the term "Big Brother 28 Premiere Date" so you get an email the second CBS drops the press release.
- Rewatch Season 10: If you’re bored tonight, go watch Dan Gheesling’s season. It’s peak Big Brother and miles better than any modern rerun you’ll find on a Friday night in January.
- Join the Community: Get on Reddit or X (Twitter). The #BB28 hashtag will start picking up steam in a few months.
There is no Big Brother tonight, but the countdown to the summer of 2026 has officially started. Clear your Thursdays starting in July.