Big Brother is heading into one of the most important seasons in its long television history, but for Canadian viewers, it will also mark the end of a familiar chapter. Global has confirmed that Season 28 will be the final season of the reality competition series to air on the network, ending a 26-year run that began with the show’s launch in 2000.

The announcement gives the upcoming season a very different weight. What would normally be another summer of alliances, evictions, competitions and house drama will now also serve as a farewell season for Global’s audience. The network has carried the U.S. version of Big Brother for more than two decades, making it a regular part of Canadian summer programming.

Season 28 is scheduled to premiere on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Global and STACKTV. The launch week will continue with Big Brother: Unlocked returning on Friday, July 10, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed by a 90-minute Sunday episode on July 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

After the opening week, the show will move into its regular summer schedule. New episodes will air Wednesdays from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursdays with live evictions, and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Global and STACKTV.

Why Global Is Moving On From Big Brother

Global’s decision appears to be part of a broader programming shift rather than a simple cancellation of one show. Corus Entertainment said the network plans to refresh its summer lineup and focus on new programming opportunities across both linear television and streaming.

Jennifer Abrams, senior vice-president of content and marketing at Corus Entertainment, said Global was proud to have been the Canadian home of Big Brother since 2000, while also noting that the network is now looking toward new formats and broader mainstream hits for future summer schedules.

The move reflects a larger change across television. Long-running reality franchises still have loyal audiences, but networks are under pressure to balance legacy titles with fresh formats that can perform across streaming platforms, social media and traditional broadcast slots.

For Big Brother, the timing is striking. CBS says the series will air its 1,000th episode during Season 28, making it the first prime-time series to reach that milestone. More details about the show’s U.S. broadcast and franchise updates are available through CBS.

The series, hosted by Julie Chen Moonves, follows a group of strangers living inside a specially designed house under constant camera surveillance. Contestants compete in challenges, form alliances, survive live evictions and battle for a US$750,000 grand prize.

The new houseguests for Season 28 have not yet been revealed. They are expected to be announced closer to the July premiere, when CBS and Global begin the final promotional push for the season.

Big Brother: Unlocked Returns With New Fan Experience

Global is also bringing back Big Brother: Unlocked, which will offer exclusive house footage, extended interviews, surprise guest appearances and behind-the-scenes access. The companion show will also include gameplay breakdowns and insider commentary for viewers following the season closely.

One major change this year is the addition of a live studio audience for Big Brother: Unlocked. That gives the spin-off a more interactive feel and brings fans closer to the weekly conversation around strategy, alliances and evictions.

The franchise remains popular because it is not only a television show but also a real-time fan event. Viewers follow live feeds, debate house dynamics online and react instantly to twists inside the game. Swikblog recently covered the continued international appeal of the franchise in its report on Big Brother Australia 2025 winner Coco Beeby.

Global’s exit does not necessarily mean the end of Big Brother for Canadian audiences forever. It confirms only that Season 28 will be the last to air on Global. In today’s shifting media landscape, major entertainment properties often move between broadcasters, streaming platforms and digital services.

Still, for viewers who have watched the show on Global since the early 2000s, the upcoming season will feel like a closing chapter. With a historic 1,000th episode, a returning companion show and one final summer on the network, Big Brother Season 28 is set to become both a milestone season and a farewell event.

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