Less than a week before the finale of its current season, CBS announced it will renew Big Brother for season 16. The renewal also includes Big Brother: After Dark, the live feed show airing on TVGN.
The reality competition reached its 500th episode on Sept. 5th and has enjoyed a rise in ratings this summer. Compared to last year, this season has earned an 11 percent increase in viewers, EW reports.
Big Brother is one of the most buzzed about reality shows on social media, because of its outrageous house guests and unconventional challenges. This season, the typically dramatic show reached a new level of shocking.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, several house guests were caught using racial slurs on the show’s 24-hour live feed, causing fan outrage. The president and CEO of CBS, Leslie Moonves, called the house guests' actions “absolutely appalling.”
The show now features a disclaimer before its TV and online broadcasts, stating “Views or opinions expressed by a houseguest are those of the individuals speaking and do not represent the views or opinions of CBS.”
The winner of Big Brother season 15, and $500,00, will be crowned in the 90-minute season finale on Sept. 18th.
Photo Courtesy of MontyBrinton/CBS