If you've got a question about anything Big Brother, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a list of answers we hope will solve your queries quickly and easily. Check out the links below for more information.
Although there is no 24/7 red button facility this year, Channel 4 and E4 will be providing some late night streaming. For scheduling details check our TV Listings page http://www.channel4.com/tv-listings
On occasion, during our late night streaming, we may need to cut the sound, as with any programme shown on TV, the output has to adhere to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code. The cuts are made for a number of reasons, the most common being:
As you may know, all modern music is copyrighted, and any use of such music in a TV programme - however brief - needs to be cleared with the holder of the rights and a payment made for its use. Some music will be specially cleared in advance for inclusion in the main Big Brother shows - such as the 'wake up' music or music that is played for a task or for a party - but will not have been cleared for Streaming. During these, sometimes prolonged, times we have no choice but to dip the sound for the duration the music is playing.
But this rule doesn't just apply to published music - it also extends to any music 'performance' and this includes all singing, humming, whistling and any music played on instruments by the Housemates.
Housemates sign contracts allowing Big Brother to show them 'warts and all', but this may not necessarily extend to very personal and sensitive or medical information that bears no relevance to the other Housemates or to the Big Brother game. Any mention of such detail will be cut out of respect for the Housemate's intimate privacy.
Equally critical is what we call Third Party Privacy. Housemates often talk about friends, family, colleagues or former employers, and while some of this information may be deemed innocuous and harmless, we would mostly cut this type of information as those parties have not given consent for personal information to be disclosed on television - though it does depend on context. If, for example, a generic, non-offensive and well-meaning remark is made about a parent, or something said about an un-named, un-identifiable friend or relative, then it may be deemed fine for broadcast.
Libel or defamation may arise when a comment is made about an individual, or a company or its products/services which would tend to make a reasonable person think less of them as a result. At worst, this may be an allegation that they have acted in a criminal way, or it may be a much less serious suggestion, for example, that they have lied, acted dishonourably or been hypocritical.
It is therefore very important to identify when such comments are made and remove them accordingly in line with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
All Housemates are entitled to express themselves, including their beliefs and opinions - but we have to carefully monitor for balance. For example, if a Housemate or Housemates should decide to use their time on Big Brother as a soapbox for extreme, one-sided and/or political views, for example, then the audio may need to be cut at such times. However, if the views and opinions are balanced by those of other Housemates, then they may be fine to show.
As you may know, the production team go to great lengths to cover brand names on food and household products used in the House, and cover up any prominent brands on clothing. But should a Housemate, for example, try to pitch themselves as the new face of a leading cosmetics company by always using their products in full view around the House, or constantly mentioning one particular brand in a promotional way, then we would also need to cut this in accordance with Ofcom's Broadcasting Code.
