Big Brother Naija returns for its 9th Season

In a dynamic media briefing held on Tuesday in Lagos, the stage was set for the ninth season of Big Brother Naija, Africa’s most renowned reality TV show. Hosted by Uti Nwachukwu, the event saw key figures from the Multichoice media sphere in attendance.

The CEO of Multichoice West Africa, John Ugbe, along with Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels for West Africa, Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head of Corporate Affairs for West Africa, and Tope Oshunkeye, Executive Head of Marketing for West Africa, were all present at the event.

Tejumola kicked off the evening with her welcoming remarks, stating, “Welcome to another thrilling season. Big Brother has transcended television, becoming Africa’s premier reality show. It entertains and sparks meaningful conversations, addressing societal issues. Each season delivers unique excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments, and I’m confident this season will be no exception.”

She announced that this season features an impressive array of sponsors, with Guinness as the gold sponsor. Other sponsors include Munch It, Colgate, Airtel, Dano, Amatem, Nexus Appliances, Travel Beta, Morning Fresh, and Innoson Motors.

During the Q&A session at the briefing, Tejumola reassured attendees that while the fundamental format remains intact, fans can anticipate numerous surprises and innovations from Biggie. Notably, for the first time in Big Brother Naija history, housemates will enter the house as “pairs.”

“The selection criteria haven’t changed,” she clarified. “This year, we asked for pairs to enter, which is unprecedented. Typically, individuals enter as singles, but for this season, we invited friends, besties, family members, spouses, partners, to apply together as pairs. That was our selection criteria. Everything else hinges on the personalities of the pairs we auditioned. The format itself remains unchanged, but as you know, creativity is being ramped up this season.”

This season guarantees a larger spectacle with a grand prize of ₦100 million and a brand-new SUV. The house has undergone a complete redesign, providing a fresh and stimulating environment for the contestants. Additionally, a new and enhanced DSTV app has been introduced this year, elevating the viewing experience and facilitating easier fan support for their favourite housemates. Voting for contestants will be available on both the DSTV app and the website, with voting limits based on individual viewers’ subscription packages.

Oshunkeye unveiled a promotional offer for DSTV and GoTV decoders. Throughout the season, DSTV decoders will be priced at N22,000, and GoTV decoders at N19,900. This promotion will be valid until the season concludes on October 6th.

Oshunkeye also unveiled an interactive viewer engagement game named “Lock-in.” This game enables viewers to predict the winners of immunity challenges, offering a prize of N1 million for each correct prediction.

Big Brother Naija season 9 will premiere on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at 7 pm West African Time across all Africa Magic channels, followed by the live show on DSTV channel 198 and GoTV channel 48. The season will span 71 days, culminating in the finale on October 6, 2024. The theme for the season will be unveiled during the premiere, providing viewers with insights into the season’s atmosphere and expectations. The show will be available for streaming on Showmax.

Ahead of the season, organisers have announced a pre-season event at Ikeja City Mall (ICM) on July 20, 2024. This event will offer fans a unique Big Brother experience, featuring a setup akin to the Big Brother house. Fans are invited to join in and enjoy activities including live cameras, party moments, and the ambiance of being inside the house, in collaboration with sponsors Guinness, Smirnoff, and others.

With these thrilling updates, Big Brother Naija Season 9 is poised to captivate audiences anew, promising unmatched entertainment and drama. The countdown to July 28th has begun, and fans are eagerly anticipating the surprises Biggie has in store.