"BIG BROTHER" ANNOUNCES THIS SEASON'S NEW HOUSE THEME: "SUMMER VACATION"

Houseguests Will Live in a House That Celebrates Travel and the Best Summer Vacation Destinations

Features Include Exotically Themed Bedrooms and Living Areas, Plus a Completely Redesigned Backyard With a New Pool, Hot Tub and Gym Equipment

New Weekly Competition to Be Unveiled During the June 26 Episode

BIG BROTHER today announced that the theme of this season's house is "summer vacation," showcasing design elements and decor that celebrate travel and the best summer vacation destinations. The house features exotically themed bedrooms, bathrooms and living areas, plus a completely redesigned backyard with a new pool, hot tub and gym equipment. BIG BROTHER debuts with a two-night premiere event, Wednesday, June 22 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), and Thursday, June 23 (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network. In addition to twists being revealed during the two-night premiere, a new weekly competition will be unveiled in the first Sunday episode, June 26 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT).

"We are loving how the house theme plays into the twists and turns that the BIG BROTHER Houseguests will face this summer," said Allison Grodner, Executive Producer, BIG BROTHER. "I don't want to give too much away, but there are quite a few things in the house that are more than just decorations."

"This season we're creating the craziest summer vacation ever inside the BIG BROTHER house," added Rich Meehan, Executive Producer. "It's going to be 99 days of twists and turns, with a few secrets along the way. But we're most looking forward to those moments that even surprise us...because it wouldn't be BIG BROTHER without unexpected 'showmances,' meltdowns and blindsides."

As with any great vacation, the Houseguests will start their summer of fun in an ultra-modern air terminal/living room where a "Departures" sign lists the exotic destinations featured throughout the house. The air travel theme continues in the kitchen, with an island built from the cowling of a 727 jet engine, and souvenir-themed plates, glasses and snow globes. In an African safari-themed room, Houseguests can lounge inside a "glamping tent," then "travel" to the bustling Shibuya section of Tokyo with its pop-art graphic mural and neon signs, and to London with its cobblestone floor and Union Jack fabric in the bedrooms. A bright yellow and red phone booth serves as a passageway between the Tokyo and London rooms and has a working phone that connects callers to the Head of Household suite. The patterned textures and bright colors of the Caribbean-inspired bathroom brings the beach indoors for the Houseguests.

Upstairs, the HOH suite is themed Honolulu, Hawaii, with a laser-cut hibiscus room divider, tiki pilasters and a headboard built from a massive saltwater aquarium, with seven tropical fish, one for each of the seven seas. Also, this season's chess set is custom built with 3D-printed scale replicas of famous landmarks in Chicago and New York City.

Finally, a redesigned backyard celebrates U.S. national parks and features a new pool, a hot tub and gym equipment.

Following the two-night premiere, BIG BROTHER will air Sundays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), beginning June 26; Wednesdays (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT), beginning June 29; and Thursdays (9:00-10:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) beginning June 30, featuring the live eviction show hosted by Julie Chen.

BIG BROTHER follows a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 87 HD cameras - seven more than last year - and more than 100 microphones, recording their every move 24 hours a day. Each week someone will be voted out of the house, with the last remaining Houseguest receiving the grand prize of $500,000. BIG BROTHER is produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Allison Grodner and Rich Meehan for Fly on the Wall Entertainment, in association with Endemol Shine North America.

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Host on Twitter: @JulieChen