How to watch the milestone 25th season of 'Big Brother' without cable
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With a later start date than usual, at least partly due to the ongoing writers’ strike, Big Brother fans are getting antsy. But the day has finally come: the houseguests have been sequestered and stripped of their phones and other devices. The milestone 25th season is officially here.
If you recently cut the cord on cable, you may be wondering how you can tune into all of the drama that will inevitably unfold in the Big Brother house this season. We've got you covered. Here's everything you need to know to watch Big Brother Season 25.
When does Big Brother Season 25 start?
The longstanding CBS reality show returns with a 90-minute premiere on Wednesday, Aug. 2, at 8 p.m. ET. New episodes will air three times weekly on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays. Once the revised CBS fall schedule kicks in, the show will shift to a Tuesday-Thursday-Sunday schedule. A season finale date has yet to be released, but with the late start in August, it will likely be sometime in late October (a typical season usually lasts about three months).
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What's new this season?
CBS promises that the new season will be "full of twists and turns and throwbacks to the last 24 seasons," according to a press release. As a teaser, Julie Chen shared the key art (pictured below) to give fans a glimpse into the Season 25 theme. What does it mean? Your guess is as good as ours, although many fans are suspecting something related to BB Comics, superheroes, or multiverse.
How to watch Big Brother Season 25
Big Brother Season 25 will be broadcast simultaneously on CBS and Paramount+. If you're a cable subscriber, simply tune into CBS at 8 p.m. ET on August 2 and you're good to go. You can also use your cable login at CBS.com to watch live. If you're a cord cutter, you can tune in live through Paramount+ with SHOWTIME or a live TV cord-cutting service (more on that below). Or you can wait a little after the live show and watch the episodes on demand via Paramount+ Essential.
Can I watch Big Brother 25 for free?
While you can watch Big Brother using cable, the show airs on CBS, which is free over the air in the U.S. That means you can watch Big Brother live for free using an antenna, no cable required. For non-cable subscribers who don't feel like buying and installing an over-the-air antenna (although they're pretty affordable), there are plenty of other options, including Paramount+ and live TV services. If you're lucky, you can even use a friend or family member's cable login to watch for free on CBS.com. Sometimes that can be more trouble than it's worth, though. Here are some other ways cord-cutters can watch Big Brother for free this season.
Best for Paramount+ newcomers: One-month free trial with code NACHOS
Those new to the streamer can secure an entire month of Paramount+ for free by entering the code NACHOS at checkout. A Paramount+ 30-day trial gives you an entire month of Big Brother at zero cost (and plenty of other series and films to watch in between). At the end of your trial period, you'll be automatically charged a monthly fee for whichever tier you selected (Essential for $5.99 or with SHOWTIME for $11.99). Your best bet would be to choose the Essential plan from the get-go, utilize your free month, and pay for two subsequent months to watch the entirety of Big Brother. You can cancel as soon as the season is up and only end up spending $12. There's also a workaround to get another month for free (see below) with a Walmart+ 30-day trial, which means you'd only have to spend $6 to watch the whole season of Big Brother.
If you previously subscribed to Paramount+, you won't be able to claim the free trial (unless, hypothetically, you have a separate email address you can use).
NOTE: you can only watch episodes LIVE with the SHOWTIME plan. With the Essential plan, you'll be able to watch episodes on demand right after they air live.
Best for Walmart+ newcomers: free Paramount+ Essential with 30-day trial
Like Amazon Prime, Walmart+ gives shoppers extra perks when shopping at Walmart — including free access to Paramount+. Walmart+ costs $12.95 per month, but new members get a free 30-day trial to test the waters. And yes, during that free trial period, you'll have access to Paramount+ for no extra cost. So, hypothetically, you could secure one free month of Paramount+ using the code above, then sign up for a Walmart+ free trial and score another free month. After that, it's up to you how you proceed with the final month of Big Brother.
More ways to save on a Walmart+ membership: Select MyPanera members can get a free three-month Walmart+ subscription (which includes Paramount+), while select Verizon MyPlan members can save $2.95/month on a Walmart+ subscription.
Best cable alternative: YouTube TV free trial
Paramount+ is the only dedicated streaming service to air Big Brother episodes live, but you do have another option as well: a live TV streaming service. These cord-cutting services act as cable replacements, offering live channels or logins to access live channels, which will allow you to tune into CBS live from anywhere. Beyond being a well-rounded service with 85+ live channels (including CBS), unlimited DVR space, and zero hidden fees, YouTube TV also offers an extended free trial for 10 days and a three-month discount. If you sign up right around the Big Brother premiere, you'll be able to watch the first five episodes for free during your trial. Then you can decide whether or not to pay the $64.99 per month for three months or move on to another service.
Best for returning Paramount+ subscribers: save 16% on an annual subscription
For those that don't qualify for any of the free ways to watch, you can still subscribe to Paramount+ for a 16% discount by choosing an annual plan rather than a monthly plan. You'll pay $59.99 for an entire year of the Essential plan, rather than the $71.88 you'd pay through monthly installments of $5.99 (or $119.99 for the SHOWTIME plan, rather than $143.88). That ends up saving you about $1 per month or 16% for the year. Sure, it's not free, but with a whole year paid for in advance, you can watch every episode of Big Brother Season 25 stress-free.
Honorable mentions
Hulu + Live TV — $69.99/month
FuboTV Pro — free 7-day trial, then $74.99/month
DirecTV Stream Entertainment package — starting at $64.99/month for two years
How to watch the Big Brother live feeds
If you're a Big Brother super fan, you probably want more access to the houseguests than the three broadcasts per week. That's where the live feeds come in. You'll need a Paramount+ subscription (Essential or with SHOWTIME) to access the Big Brother Live Feed 24/7. Tune into the live feeds to get a sneak peek at what's happening with the houseguests at any given time.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nearly evicted within the first week, Taylor Hale ended up winning back the house after weeks of verbal abuse. In the end, the jury gave her a nearly unanimous win for her comeback story and social game over Monte Taylor. She became the first black woman to ever win Big Brother — and the first winner to simultaneously win America's Favorite Houseguest.
Since Season 6, the Big Brother houseguests have lived in a custom-built "house" that's essentially an elaborate set built on a CBS stage in Studio City (Los Angeles), Stage 18. It's under constant video surveillance.
Christina Buff is a Nashville-based freelance writer for who covers shopping with a splash of entertainment. If you’re ever wondering what streaming service you need to watch something (and the cheapest way to sign up for it), she’s your girl.
Christina received a B.S. in Business Communication (concentration in writing) from Stevenson University and began her professional journey writing and editing press releases. Since then, she’s written content for a marketing agency, blogged for celebrities, and covered local news, politics, women’s lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and just about everything in between for various publications.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably enjoying live music, studying human design, or embroidering and upcycling clothes. You can follow her on Instagram at @touchinfinity.
