Big Brother 26: Release date and time, what to expect, and more

The theme for this year's house has been revealed ahead of Big Brother Season 26's start on Wednesday, July 17, on CBS. The upcoming Season 26 will have a two-night premiere on CBS on Wednesday, July 17, at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and Thursday, July 18, at 9 p.m. ET.

Big Brother Intelligence, or BB AI, has taken over the house and will test the housemates with twists throughout the season. Artificial intelligence has already brought back Hollywood's Golden Age icons and terrified Nicolas Cage. It has now made its way into the Big Brother house.

The official synopsis for Season 26 states:

“From summer camp, to tech, to the multiverse, Big Brother loves to put a twist on topical and pop culture themes, BB AI is taking over the House and the theme will deliver the most unpredictable season for Houseguests."

CBS unveiled its summer programming plan, which revealed that the show would air on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Thursday's programs have historically featured live evictions.

The timing of the episodes has changed from prior seasons' schedules. This season will air at 9 p.m. ET/PT on all three days, rather than 8 p.m. ET/PT on Wednesdays and Sundays.

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Big Brother 26: What is in store for viewers?

In this year's Big Brother 26, the bedrooms have been created with BB AI prompts. The HOH Room is supposed to be a retreat for the person holding the Head of Household power. Meanwhile, the Front Bedroom is a futuristic one for the year 2500 that can accommodate five houseguests. The Side Bedroom is designed like a fantasy fair garden, and the Back Bedroom is supposed to be a sci-fi rocky planet.

BB AI crashed before it could develop the Have-Not Room, leaving houseguests with only a wireframe skeleton bedroom. The BB AI house has an eight-foot root ball coffee table, a math-themed sky bridge, and blue and yellow swirls painted in the gym and bathroom. There are also swirling graphics and concrete walls in the kitchen.

Julie Chen Moonves, who has hosted the show since its debut in 2000, returns to host Big Brother season 26. Julie hosts the show's live eviction episodes, along with the season premiere and finale.

On social media, Moonves suggested how the show would live true to its "expect the unexpected" catchphrase this summer, before the topic was officially announced on July 9. On June 17, she shared an Instagram photo with the show's account, revealing the image for Season 26.

The caption read:

"Not everything is as it seems this summer. #BB26 is unlike any season we’ve had yet and we’re just one month away. #BigBrother”

At the beginning of July, she shared a video of a spinning wheel covered in photographs of herself.

"Happy July! "It's a lovely day because we are only days away from hearing the first 'But First,' of #BB26. Who's ready?" she asked, referring to her characteristic statement on the show.

For her final hint, she shared close-ups of artifacts in the Season 26 house. After a month of letting fans figure out the clues, Chen Moonves and the show finally revealed that Season 26 will have an artificial intelligence theme.

The post also featured a brief video displaying the house's various rooms, which are re-decorated each year to match the current season's theme.