It is that time of year again. The weather is cold, the holiday decorations are finally coming down, and reality TV junkies everywhere are scouring the internet for one specific date. If you are reading this, you are probably asking: when does celebrity big brother us start?
You probably remember the chaos of past seasons. Miesha Tate dominating the physical comps. Lamar Odom being, well, Lamar Odom. Those frantic three-week sprints where Julie Chen Moonves barely has time to breathe before the next eviction.
But here is the honest truth for 2026.
If you are waiting for a February premiere, you might want to sit down.
The Current Status of Celebrity Big Brother US
There has been a lot of chatter lately. Some of it is hopeful, but most of it is a bit of a bummer. As of early 2026, CBS has not officially put a new season of Celebrity Big Brother (CBBUS4) on the schedule.
Historically, this show is the ultimate "gap filler." CBS likes to use it to compete against the Winter Olympics or to plug holes when their scripted dramas are on hiatus. In 2018 and 2022, it was the perfect counter-programming for the Winter Games. Since the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina are happening right now, many expected a surprise drop.
It didn't happen.
Instead, CBS has pivoted. Executive producer Allison Grodner has been pretty transparent about the challenges. In recent interviews, she mentioned that "other factors beyond our control"—likely budget and the massive logistical lift of a celeb cast—have kept the show on the shelf. Basically, the network is prioritizing the main summer series and newer spin-offs like Big Brother Reindeer Games or The Traitors (which is currently eating up everyone's attention over on Peacock).
When Does Celebrity Big Brother US Start? Looking at the History
To understand why we're in this "wait and see" mode, you have to look at how erratic the scheduling has been. This isn't like the summer version that starts like clockwork every July.
- Season 1: Premiered February 7, 2018 (Olympics year).
- Season 2: Premiered January 21, 2019 (A surprise follow-up).
- Season 3: Premiered February 2, 2022 (Olympics year).
See the pattern? Or rather, the lack of one? There was a three-year gap between seasons two and three. We are currently in another long-haul waiting period. While rumors are constantly flying on Twitter (X) and Reddit, the "winter 2026" window is rapidly closing without a cast reveal or a teaser trailer.
Why the Delay is Actually Happening
TV is expensive. Celebrities are even more expensive. Even the "D-list" stars—no offense to Todd Bridges or Chris Kattan—require appearance fees that dwarf what the regular houseguests get.
Lately, the competition has changed. The Traitors US has become the new "it" show for reality stars. If you are a semi-famous person looking for a paycheck, would you rather be locked in a house for 24/7 surveillance for a month, or go to a castle in Scotland for two weeks to play a murder mystery? Most are choosing the castle.
Also, CBS has been leaning heavily into Big Brother 27, which is already being teased for a mid-July 2026 start date. Keeping the "brand" fresh for the summer means they sometimes have to sacrifice the celebrity winter edition. It's a bummer for the live feed addicts who miss the 2:00 AM whispered alliances, but it's a reality of modern network television.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Return
A common misconception is that the show is "cancelled."
Honestly, that’s not quite right. Celebrity Big Brother US is rarely "cancelled"—it’s just "rested." CBS keeps it in their back pocket like a "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" tool. If a writers' strike happens or if a major show gets pulled from the schedule, CBB is the easiest thing to spin up quickly because the house set already exists in a soundstage at Radford.
What to Watch While You Wait
Since the answer to "when does celebrity big brother us start" isn't the "tomorrow" we all wanted, you need a plan B.
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- The Traitors Season 4: This premiered on January 8, 2026. It features Big Brother legends like Tiffany Mitchell and Ian Terry. If you want that tactical gameplay, this is where it's at right now.
- Big Brother Canada: Usually kicks off in March. It’s often more experimental and wild than the US version.
- Reindeer Games Re-watches: If you missed the winter spin-off from a couple of seasons ago, it's the best pure-competition version of the show ever made.
The most realistic outlook? Don't expect a celebrity cast to enter that house until at least 2027, possibly coinciding with another "event" year for the network. CBS is currently focusing their budget on the civilian Big Brother 27, which is reportedly getting a major house overhaul for the 2026 summer season.
Actionable Steps for the Superfan
If you're desperate for updates, don't fall for "leaked cast lists" on Instagram that include A-list stars like Margot Robbie (spoiler: she's not doing Big Brother).
Instead, do this:
- Follow Julie Chen Moonves on Instagram. She is the queen of "cryptic clues." If she posts a picture of a sparkly high heel next to a suitcase, that is when you start getting excited.
- Check the CBS Press Express site. They post official schedules about 6-8 weeks in advance. If CBB isn't there by now, it's not happening this winter.
- Set a Google Alert for "Big Brother Season 27 Premiere Date." Since the celeb version is currently dormant, the summer show is your next guaranteed fix.
Keep your expectations low for a 2026 winter start. The lights in the Big Brother house are currently off, but as we know with this franchise, someone is always watching—even if it's just the fans waiting for a sign.