Channel Nine have announced on September 9 that it has signed a deal with Endemol Southen Star to revive Big Brother Australia in 2012.
Tahe show will be titled "Big Brother: Secrets", where every HM has a secret to be found out by the others, encouraging interaction between all contestants. A past French version of this format offered cash prizes for contestants who discovered others' secrets.
With the success of other "stripped" (5 nights a week) TV formats (MasterChef, The Block, The Biggest Loser) t seems like the right time. Also in our new digital multichannel environment, Nine can put supplementary programming on GEM or GO! without pulling too much out of its primary channel's programming. Original Big Brother fans know that 8 hours of primetime viewing and up to 12 hours of late night viewing a week takes its toll.
Rumours have begun forming about when the series will begin. ESS have not yet begun asking for applications for the series so it will have to be later in the year. Speculation is that BB will take The Block's 7pm timeslot after The Olympic Games ends in August.
As for a venue for the series, Dreamworld have let ESS know they are happy for them to move back into their production facility and "house" on the Gold Coast. It is all still standing, and its seclusion and weather makes it ideal. However, Nine may be looking for a brand new look for the series in which case it could be looking at other cities or locations. There is always Melbourne's under-utilised Docklands Film Studios, though its situation under a freeway could make it impossible to keep contestants away from "reality" for 3 months.
Another question is over who will host. It is unlikely Gretel or Kyle and Jackie O will return. Hopefully Nine will not use its new acquisition of Hamish and Andy, as they always make the show about themselves. Perhaps they could look at former HMs. It's a shame Chrissie Swan is at Ten because she would be perfect. There is always Mike Goldman who always remained loyal to the show, and had a shot at hosting with Jackie O when Kyle was sick.
For the moment we can only speculate, and wait for more announcements over the coming months.
