
Big Brother Australia, one of the longest-running and most successful Big Brother franchises in the Asia-Pacific region, has had a tumultuous history, with several cancellations and revivals since its inception in 2001. The show, which features housemates living together in a specially constructed house isolated from the outside world, was cancelled in 2008 due to audience erosion and controversy. It was then revived in 2012 for its ninth season, but was not renewed for a twelfth season in 2014. After a few revivals and changes in networks, the show was cancelled again in 2024, with no plans to return that year. However, in October 2024, it was announced that the show would be returning to Channel 10 in 2025, with a brand new host and a return to its original live format.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cancellation year | 2008, 2018, 2024 |
| Reason for cancellation | Audience erosion and controversy, ratings slump, no renewal by the network, criticism of casting and format |
| Return | 2025 |
| New host | Mel Tracina |
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What You'll Learn

The show was cancelled in 2008 due to audience erosion and controversy
Big Brother Australia, a reality show based on the international Big Brother format, first premiered in 2001. The show features a group of contestants, known as "housemates", who live together in a specially constructed house isolated from the outside world. Throughout the competition, housemates are evicted, and the last remaining housemate wins a cash prize.
In 2008, the show was cancelled by Network Ten due to audience erosion and controversy. The show had run for eight seasons and a celebrity edition before its cancellation. The show's format, which resembled the original Dutch version, minimised competitive aspects. Eviction decisions were determined by viewer voting, and housemates were not allowed to discuss nominations.
Big Brother Australia experienced a revival in 2012, airing on the Nine Network for three seasons. In 2019, the Seven Network acquired the rights to the show and revamped its format to resemble the American and Canadian editions, emphasising the competitive aspect of surviving the eviction process. However, key differences remained, such as the Australian public deciding the eventual winner instead of a "Jury" of evicted housemates.
Despite the show's popularity and long-running success, it faced challenges due to the high number of individuals from modelling backgrounds, which alienated them from the public audience. The show's house also faced issues, being left abandoned and falling into disrepair, eventually burning down in an act of arson in 2019.
After a hiatus, Big Brother Australia is set to return in 2025, with a new host, Mel Tracina, and a return to its original live format.
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The house was vandalised and burned down in 2019
Big Brother Australia, the reality show where contestants live together in a specially constructed house, was cancelled by Network Ten in 2008 due to audience erosion and controversy. However, the show was revived several times, with the last season airing in 2020.
The purpose-built Australian Big Brother house was located within Dreamworld, a theme park in Coomera, Gold Coast, Queensland. After the show ended in 2014, the house was left unoccupied and fell into disrepair. As it was left abandoned, vandals began trespassing into the house, and YouTubers also explored the compound.
In June 2019, the house was set on fire and completely burned down. Queensland Police confirmed that the fire was caused by arson and arrested four teenagers aged between 11 and 15 years old as the arsonists, according to witnesses. The house was completely destroyed, and the Seven Network had to find a new location for the Big Brother House.
In December 2019, it was announced that the Big Brother house would be moving to a former World War II-era warehouse inside the North Head Sanctuary. The show returned to New Zealand in 2020, marking the first time it had aired in primetime since the 2004 season.
Big Brother Australia was cancelled again in 2024, but it was announced that the show would be returning in 2025 to its original home on Channel 10.
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The format was revamped in 2020, emphasising the competitive aspect
Big Brother Australia, based on the international Big Brother format, is a reality show that features a group of contestants, known as "housemates", who live together in a specially constructed house isolated from the outside world. Throughout the competition, housemates are evicted and the last remaining housemate wins a cash prize. The show was produced from 2001 to 2008, and then from 2012 to 2014, before being cancelled by Nine Network. In 2019, Seven Network acquired the rights to the show and revamped its format in 2020, emphasising the competitive aspect of surviving the eviction process.
The new format resembled the American and Canadian editions, with housemates deciding on nominations and evictions amongst themselves. This allowed housemates to strategise, politic, and collude about the nominations and evictions. However, a key difference from the American and Canadian formats was that the Australian public decided the eventual winner, rather than a "Jury" of evicted housemates. The format change also included a "Nomination Challenge" at the start of each round, where the winner would be safe from eviction and have the power to name their nominees.
The Seven Network's decision to revamp the format was likely influenced by the show's previous cancellation due to audience erosion and controversy. The new format aimed to increase viewer engagement and create more dynamic interactions among housemates. By emphasising the competitive aspect, the show introduced a layer of strategy and political gameplay that could potentially attract viewers seeking more complex social dynamics.
The 2020 iteration of Big Brother Australia marked a shift in the show's focus, leaning into the competitive nature of the format. While the core premise of housemates living together and facing evictions remained, the added layer of intra-house decision-making and strategy brought a new dimension to the show's dynamics. This change also impacted the role of the viewers, as they now had more insight into the housemates' strategies and alliances, potentially making the voting process more engaging and interactive.
The revamped format received mixed reactions from viewers. While some appreciated the added layer of strategy and the shift towards a more competitive format, others criticised the show for moving away from its original concept. Some viewers expressed confusion about the show's identity, comparing it unfavourably to other reality TV shows that had clearer formats, such as Love Island. Despite the changes, Big Brother Australia did not return for a 2024 season, with Seven Network opting not to proceed. However, the show is set to return in 2025, with Network 10 announcing its revival and a return to the original live eviction format.
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The show was cancelled in 2018 due to a ratings slump
Big Brother Australia was cancelled in 2018 due to a ratings slump. The show had been running since 2001, and in that time it had become one of the longest-running and most successful Big Brother franchises in the Asia-Pacific region. However, in 2018, the show's viewership had declined significantly, with only 1.2 million viewers on average compared to its peak of 1.9 million in 2013. As a result, the show's broadcasters at the time, Channel 5, made the decision to cancel it.
The cancellation of Big Brother Australia in 2018 was not an isolated incident. The show had previously been cancelled by Network Ten in 2008 due to audience erosion and controversy. Additionally, the house used for the show fell into disrepair and was eventually burned down by vandals in 2019, leaving the show without a filming location.
Despite these setbacks, Big Brother Australia has proven to be a resilient and adaptable show. In 2020, the show was revamped and returned to television screens, this time on the Seven Network. This marked the first time the show had appeared on Australia's three biggest television channels; Network 10, Nine Network, and Channel 7. The new season featured a new host, Sonia Kruger, and a modified format that resembled the American and Canadian editions of the show.
However, it seems that the show's revival was short-lived. In 2024, it was announced that Big Brother Australia would not be returning for another season on the Seven Network. This prompted Network 10 to announce that they had acquired the rights to the show and that it would be returning for a sixteenth season in 2025, with the original eviction format.
The show's cancellation in 2018 due to a ratings slump appears to have been a catalyst for change and reinvention. With the show's return to Network 10 and its original live format, it seems that Big Brother Australia is once again evolving to meet the needs and expectations of its audience.
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The show will return in 2025 with a new host, Mel Tracina
Big Brother Australia, the reality show that first aired in 2001, is all set to make a comeback in 2025 after being cancelled in 2024. The show will be back on Channel 10, its original home, with a live format and a new host, Mel Tracina.
The show was cancelled by Channel 7 in 2024, but it has now been revealed that the reality series will return to Channel 10, where it first premiered in the early 2000s. The show's new host, Mel Tracina, is known for her role as the resident cultural correspondent on The Cheap Seats. Speaking about the show's return, Tracina said, "I was one of the millions of Aussies captivated by Big Brother when it launched on Channel 10 in the early noughties. The show has such a loyal and passionate fan base, and I am excited to help bring back the show’s original spirit."
Big Brother Australia is a reality show based on the international Big Brother format created by John de Mol Jr. The show features a group of contestants, known as "housemates", who live together in a specially constructed house isolated from the outside world. Throughout the competition, housemates are evicted, and the last remaining housemate wins a cash prize. The show ran for eight seasons and a celebrity edition on Network Ten before the network cancelled it in 2008 due to audience erosion and controversy.
The show was revived in 2012 and aired on the Nine Network for three seasons. In 2019, Seven Network acquired the rights and confirmed that the show would return in 2020. However, after four civilian seasons and one celebrity edition, Seven did not proceed with a 2024 season. Now, Network 10 has announced that the show will be returning in 2025 with a new host and the original eviction format.
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Frequently asked questions
Big Brother Australia was cancelled in 2008 due to experiencing audience erosion and controversy. The show made a comeback in 2020, but it was cancelled again in 2024.
The show was cancelled due to low ratings and a lack of direction.
The house was left abandoned and fell into disrepair. It was eventually burned down by vandals in 2019.
Yes, Big Brother Australia also aired in New Zealand from 2001 to 2005, and again in 2013 and 2014.
Big Brother Australia is set to make a comeback in 2025, returning to its original home on Channel 10.





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