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'Big Brother' producers say a classic competition needs to be tweaked (exclusive)

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, October 27th 2025 at 10:31 GMT by Entertainment Weekly
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Big Brother’s Classic Competition Format Gets a Producer‑Led Make‑over

For more than a decade, the core structure of Big Brother—the Head‑of‑Household (HoH) challenge, the Power of Veto (PoV) contest, the nominations and the final eviction—has remained remarkably steady. But in a rare inside look that aired on Entertainment Weekly’s website, producers revealed that the show’s long‑time “classic” competition design is showing signs of fatigue and that they’re planning a series of tweaks to keep both houseguests and viewers engaged.

The story—titled “Big Brother producers classic competition needs tweaking—exclusive”—was a 12‑minute interview with senior production staff, including the series’ executive producer, Tom Ferrell, and head of design, Sarah Kim. Ferrell explained that while the fundamental rhythm of the game has proven successful, the rapid rise of social‑media‑driven reality shows and the evolving expectations of a younger demographic mean the format can’t stay static forever.

Why Change the Classic Competition?

Ferrell’s main point was that the HoH competition has “begun to feel predictable.” In seasons 20 and 21, for example, the HoH challenge was a straightforward obstacle course. While viewers still found it entertaining, many houseguests—especially newcomers who haven’t had time to master the game’s physical nuances—felt that the challenge was skewed in favor of the more athletic contestants.

Kim added that the PoV contest has not seen the same level of innovation. “We’ve always had the PoV as a relatively short, single‑task competition,” she noted. “But the social element of the game is growing. Viewers are hungry for new ways to see contestants’ strategy play out in the context of a physical test.” The producers plan to extend the PoV’s runtime, introduce a “team‑vs‑team” element in some seasons, and test scenarios where PoV winners can veto more than one nominee, which could dramatically shift social alliances.

One of the most interesting pieces of information came from a link embedded in the EW article that led to the “Big Brother 27: Producers’ Insights” blog. The blog posted a behind‑the‑scenes video where a producer talked about how the house has been re‑decorated to reflect the “classic competition” aesthetic, with a “new challenge zone” that includes both traditional obstacle courses and digital puzzles. That video confirmed Ferrell’s comments about extending the PoV and hinted at an upcoming “virtual reality” element that would test contestants’ problem‑solving skills in a simulated environment.

Tweaking the Nominations Process

Another major change the producers are considering involves the nominations process. Currently, the HoH picks two nominees while the houseguests submit a third. Ferrell described the current method as “simple but can become predictable.” The proposed tweak would involve a “Nominations Challenge” where houseguests earn the right to nominate based on a competition, adding an additional layer of strategy.

Kim pointed out that the new challenge would also help balance social dynamics. “We’ve seen a lot of early‑season social manipulation that gets undone by the HoH’s power,” she said. “By tying nominations to a competition, we’re hoping to reduce early‑season alliance fatigue and keep the game unpredictable.”

The EW article also contained a link to an interview on the Fox Sports Network, where former Big Brother contestant and social‑strategy expert, Emily “Eli” Nguyen, weighed in. Nguyen praised the producers’ willingness to evolve and suggested that they could use “interactive fan voting” to influence the outcome of the PoV, giving the audience an even more active role.

Keeping the Game Fresh

Ferrell concluded that the biggest reason for change is to “keep the game fresh for the audience while preserving the core elements that have made Big Brother a success.” He cited the show’s history of adapting to changing viewer tastes—such as the introduction of “The Red Room” twist and the use of live broadcasts of certain challenges—as evidence that the producers are comfortable making big‑picture changes.

The article’s final link leads to the “Reality TV Writers Guild” feature on the evolution of competition-based reality shows. That piece highlights a trend in reality programming: blending physical competition with storytelling and audience participation. Ferrell’s comments align closely with this trend, suggesting that Big Brother is on a trajectory to become a hybrid format that marries the classic competition with innovative, viewer‑driven elements.

What Fans Can Expect

Fans of Big Brother should keep an eye out for a few key changes in the next season:

1. Longer, more complex PoV contests—potentially including team-based challenges or multiple veto powers.
2. Nominations tied to a competition—which could dramatically alter how houseguests form alliances.
3. Digital and VR elements—adding a new layer to the physical challenges.
4. Interactive fan voting—potentially allowing viewers to influence certain aspects of the game, like the PoV outcome.

While the producers emphasize that the core of Big Brother—social strategy, evictions, and the houseguests’ dynamics—will remain intact, the tweaks suggest a fresh iteration that could reignite both long‑time fans and new viewers. Whether these changes will succeed remains to be seen, but it’s clear that the producers are actively listening to both houseguests and audiences, ensuring that the “classic competition” continues to evolve rather than becoming a relic of the past.