Big Brother (2001)

Australia's landmark reality competition series, where housemates live under total surveillance and fight to be the last one standing.

Big Brother - Series Information

  • Original Title: Big Brother
  • First Air Year: 2001
  • Last Air Year: 2025
  • Created by: John de Mol
  • Type: TV Series
  • Genres: Reality
  • Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
  • Number of Seasons: 16
  • Number of Episodes: 1484
  • Status: Returning Series
  • Original Language: English
  • Spoken Languages: English
  • First Air Date: April 24, 2001 (Australia - MA15+)
  • Networks: 10, Nine Network, Seven Network
  • Alternative Titles: Big Brother AU (AU)
  • Production Companies: EndemolShine Australia, Southern Star Entertainment
  • Production Countries: Australia

Big Brother - Plot

Big Brother is an Australian reality show based on the international Big Brother format created by John de Mol. Following the premise of other versions of the format, the show features a group of contestants, known as "housemates" who live together in a specially constructed house that is isolated from the outside world. The housemates are continuously monitored during their stay in the house by live television cameras as well as personal audio microphones. Throughout the course of the competition, housemates are evicted from the house - eliminated from the competition. The last remaining housemate wins the competition and is awarded a cash prize.

Big Brother - Trailer

Watch the official trailer and see what awaits inside the house:

Unfiltered. Unscripted. Unmissable.

Where to Watch Big Brother

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Big Brother - Cast & Crew

Creator(s)

  • John de Mol

Main Cast

  • Mike Goldman
  • Gretel Killeen
  • Sonia Kruger
  • Jackie O
  • Kyle Sandilands
  • Mel Tracina
  • Allana Jackson
  • Bruce Dunne
  • Coco Beeby
  • Colin Ridley

Big Brother - FAQs

Who has hosted Big Brother Australia over the years?

Big Brother Australia has had several hosts across its run. Gretel Killeen hosted the original seasons from 2001 to 2007, becoming iconic to the franchise. Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O hosted a brief revival in 2012, while Sonia Kruger took over for the rebooted seasons from 2020 onwards.

Where can I watch Big Brother Australia?

Big Brother Australia has aired across multiple free-to-air networks including Channel 10, the Nine Network, and the Seven Network. Streaming availability varies by region and season. You can check JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options available in your area.

How many seasons does Big Brother Australia have?

Big Brother Australia has 16 seasons, plus a collection of special episodes. The series first aired in April 2001 and has accumulated a total of 1,484 episodes across its run, making it one of Australia's longest-running and most expansive reality competition formats.

Is Big Brother Australia based on a true story?

Big Brother Australia is not based on a true story. It is an adaptation of the international Big Brother format created by Dutch media mogul John de Mol. The concept draws its name and premise from George Orwell's dystopian novel 1984, using the idea of constant surveillance as its central conceit.

What is Big Brother Australia about?

Big Brother Australia places a group of contestants — called housemates — inside a specially built, isolated house monitored by cameras and microphones around the clock. Housemates compete to avoid weekly evictions voted on by the public or fellow contestants, with the last person remaining winning a cash prize.

When did Big Brother Australia first air?

Big Brother Australia first aired on April 24, 2001, on Channel 10. The debut season was a landmark moment for Australian reality television, introducing the international Big Brother format to local audiences and launching what would become one of the country's most recognisable and enduring reality franchises.

Is Big Brother Australia cancelled or still airing?

Big Brother Australia is a returning series and is currently still in production. While the show experienced a hiatus between 2008 and 2012, and again between 2014 and 2020, it has continued airing in recent years and remains an active franchise as of its most recent season in 2025.

Who created Big Brother Australia?

The Big Brother format was created by Dutch television producer John de Mol, who developed the original concept in the Netherlands in 1999. The Australian adaptation was produced by EndemolShine Australia and Southern Star Entertainment, bringing the international format to local audiences beginning in 2001.

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