CBS received significant criticism after delaying the latest episode of Big Brother season 26 and opting to air a rerun of 60 Minutes. The show had a two-night premiere on July 17 and 18 2024, where the cast of Big Brother26 entered the house to compete for the grand prize. However, the most recent episode scheduled for Sunday night was delayed due to coverage of the PGA Tour golf event. Instead of airing the scheduled episode, CBS chose to go ahead with broadcasting a rerun of 60 Minutes before airing Big Brother season 26.
After the scheduling delay caused by the golf event, CBS's decision to air Big Brother really late upset many fans and led to the network facing backlash. Many fans took to the comments section of a CBS Network PR post andexpressed their outrage and disappointment with the network airing 60 Minutes when they could have just bypassed the rerun and gone straight into the Big Brother episode.
One commenter, @Packerfan123481, wrote, “I feel like 60 minutes could get the boot considering it’s not new,” while @turnur used a hilarious Julie Chen Moonves meme photo, saying, “Change it.” In a previous post from the network, @SunsetSeaStar wrote, “How about put #bb26 on first the other 2 can go after that…I have a 10 pm bedtime [laughing emoji].”
Big Brother 26 Fans Say CBS Should Have Scrapped 60 Minutes Rerun
Big Brother Has Had Delays In Previous Seasons
Given that the PGA Tour coverage ran over its allotted time, CBS should have adjusted its schedule for Big Brother26 accordingly and replaced the rerun episode of 60 Minutes. This isn't the first season to face delayed airings and scheduling changes, as previous seasons also experienced scheduling conflicts due to sporting events taking over the original time slot planned for Big Brother26. Fans made their frustrations known, as @RyanMoyer10 commented, “So ridiculous. An hour and a half overrun for golf and you’re still showing a 60 Minutes rerun? Why? Who’s making these nonsensical decisions?”
Big Brother is a reality competition show with one of the longest and largest fan bases. Fans have been tuning in to the show for the past 24 years, watching every episode, and keeping up with the show's live feeds. CBS scheduled the show for three days every week; however, the network has placed the popular series on the back burner. The network could have made the show available at the correct time on Paramount Plus. “This is stupid AF. You could at least put Big Brother on Paramount + at the regular time,” @JABombard wrote.
CBS should be aware that the fan base of Big Brother is unique. While they couldn't prevent the delay, they have the responsibility to have backup plans for the Big Brother 26 schedule in case of such occurrences, especially considering this isn't the first time delays have happened over the past 26 seasons. It would be wise for CBS to air their original shows, preferably new episodes, to keep viewers satisfied.
Big Brother season 26 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT and Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS.
