Big Brother 28 is almost here. Everything to know about the new season

Summer’s biggest reality game show is back. Big Brother 28 is locked in, the cast has been sequestered, and the teasers are rolling out. Julie Chen Moonves is back as host — and she’s already warned fans that some of the rumors floating around online are “dead wrong.” So what do we actually know? Quite a lot, it turns out.

When Does Big Brother 28 Start?

The Big Brother 28 season premiere drops on Thursday, July 9, at 8/7c on CBS. The very next night, a brand-new companion show — Big Brother: Unlocked — makes its debut at 8/7c on CBS as well.

Regular BB28 episodes will air on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 8/7c. All episodes will also stream on Paramount+.

The Theme: Time Trip

This season’s theme is called Time Trip — and it’s exactly as chaotic as it sounds. CBS describes it this way: “Houseguests will enter a world where rooms, relics and competitions transport them across moments in time, while early twists shake up the game from the start. Inspired by decades like the ’80s and Y2K, new powers and challenges can disrupt strategy and alliances.”

Producers have clearly gone all-out to build the theme into every corner of the house. Expect a Living Room of Eras, a Futuristic Sleep Pods Room, a Time-Lapse Gym, a Clockwork Bathroom, and a Time-Bending Entryway — among other time-warped surprises. The design is packed with nods to the twists baked into this season’s gameplay.

Live Feeds, Prize Money, and Alum Involvement

The Big Brother Live Feeds won’t switch on until after the July 10 episode of Unlocked — so viewers won’t catch the houseguests on night one. The feeds will be available on both Paramount+ and Pluto TV, launching once the West Coast has finished watching the Unlocked premiere.

The winner this season takes home $750,000. And Julie has confirmed there will be alum involvement — with a very tantalising tease that players from other CBS reality shows could be part of the mix. Survivor? The Challenge? The Amazing Race? She’s not giving specifics yet, but the door is wide open.

A Fan Vote That Could Change Everything

One of the freshest additions to BB28 is a new fan vote twist being introduced during the season. Details are being kept under wraps for now, but based on how fan votes have worked in previous seasons — think America’s Vote sending someone to the block, or handing out a power — this one has the potential to flip the whole game on its head at any moment.

Fans are already speculating hard about what format the vote will take and when it’ll hit. If history is any guide, expect it to drop right when someone gets too comfortable.

When Will the BB28 Cast Be Revealed?

Rumour has it the cast announcement is coming on Tuesday, July 7 — which would also likely be the day houseguests officially start playing the game, with producers pre-taping footage for the first couple of episodes. Nothing’s been confirmed yet, but the timing makes perfect sense.

Julie has teased that some of the cast rumours circulating online are completely off base — so expect some surprises when the full cast drops.

Big Brother 28 is shaping up to be one of the most layered, twist-heavy seasons in years. With a time-travel theme, potential crossover alums, a fan vote wildcard, and $750K on the line — the summer is going to get very messy, very fast.

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