Filming for Seven’s revamped Big Brother Australia is currently underway, and with no access to the outside world, it is understood they were unaware about the COVID-19 pandemic, until now.
As reported in The Australian’s Media Diary, the new season is being filmed in Sydney’s North Head. It is believed filming has been going on for roughly three weeks now, which means the contestants would have been unaware of the severity of the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.
However, according to producers of Big Brother Australia Endemol Shine Australia, the contestants have now been brought up to date with the situation.
A spokesperson for Endemol Shine told News: “Endemol Shine Australia takes the health and safety of our crew and contestants extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.
“Housemates have been brought across the current situation and we are in constant contact with the families to keep all involved up to date.”
COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organisation six days ago on March 11, which is well into the filming period of the show.
In October last year it was revealed Seven was bringing back Big Brother in a bid to chase the younger demos. Traditionally, the show is filmed live, however for the first time the show is being pre-recorded.
The show has certainly done its rounds across the major networks. Network 10 launched the program in Australia in 2001, running for eight seasons and dominating ratings. Channel 9 then picked up the program but dropped it from its channel in 2014.
Seven will be banking on Big Brother to help boost its sinking ratings, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of the Olympics not going ahead.
However, as reported yesterday, Seven would receive a full refund for the broadcast rights. The network is believed to have already booked $90 million in revenue ahead of the event, the refunded money could be put towards clearing the millions in debt currently facing the company.
But of course, it will miss out on a significant amount of advertising dollars should the Games be cancelled.
