CBS is sticking with its reliable summer player, Big Brother. The network has renewed the reality series for a 22nd season.
The renewal comes two weeks before the show is set to close out its 21st season. Ratings have been down year to year, but it still remains CBS’ top-rated summer series by a sizable margin and one of the top five summer shows on any broadcast network.
Also returning for the reality series is host, Julie Chen Moonves. Chen Moonves is married to ex-CBS Corp. head Les Moonves, who was ousted from the network in September of last year in the wake of multiple sexual misconduct allegations. While Chen Moonves left her long-running position as co-host on The Talk after Les Moonves was booted, she remained on Big Brother and will continue in the host position for the 22nd season.
Across its three weekly ratings, Big Brother is averaging a 1.5 rating among the coveted 18-49 demo and about 5.3 million total viewers (including three days of delayed viewing). That’s down 25% in the demo and 20% in viewers compared to last season but it still functions as a strong utility player for CBS during the summer.
