by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice is doing an 8th season of Big Brother Nigeria for DStv subscribers across the sub-Saharan African continent, which will see former housemates return to the camera-filled studio complex in Lagos for Big Brother Naija: All Stars which will start on Sunday 23 July.
The 8th season of Big Brother Naija follows after the 7th season, which was named "Big Brother Naija: Level Up" in 2022, and MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic's joint South African and Nigerian production of Big Brother Titans earlier this year on DStv which was a ratings disappointment.
Big Brother Naija: All Stars will be shown for 24 hours a day on the Big Brother Naija pop-up channel on DStv channel 198, with various weekly highlight programmes on the Africa Magic Urban (DStv 153), Africa Magic Family (DStv 154) channel.
In addition, MultiChoice is once again leveraging the show to drive subscribers to its streaming service Showmax, but is going further this time by live-stream the entire Big Brother Naija: All Stars for 24-hours a day, similar to the DStv pop-up channel.
Previously Showmax had packaged highlights for Big Brother Naija, as well as customised, exclusive add-on content produced around the show for streaming subscribers.
This season will have its own row on Showmax with various blocks like the 24-hour live feed, as well as daily highlights, Saturday night parties, head of house challenges and the Sunday night eviction shows.
Big Brother Naija: All Stars will run for 10 weeks (70 days) until 1 October which is Nigeria's Independence Day, featuring returning contestants chosen from across season three's "Double Wahala" to season 7's "Level Up", with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu returning as the host of the show.
The returning housemates are chosen from previous editions of the show and will include the pool party, grill party and Saturday Night Raves live shows. The winner after 10 weeks will get a cash prize of R2.78 million (N120 million).
The head of house challenge will be taking on a revamped format and will run as a 4-hour event, and a new so-called "Black Envelope" game will be introduced.
"We are excited to bring you a refreshed season of Big Brother Naija," says Dr Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice's executive head of content for West Africa channels, in a statement.
"The 8th season of Big Brother Naija is the All Stars edition."
"It has been seven years of engaging our viewers, the industry and the fans. This is the biggest show in Africa and once Big Brother is on, the majority tune in. Fans should watch out for new versions of the housemates they used to know."
