Big Brother has been on the air since its international debut in 1999, with the American version premiering on July 5, 2000. As of late 2025, that marks a run of 25 years for the US edition, and the franchise overall spans multiple countries with varying start dates and revival periods. Key points by region:

• United States (Big Brother): Debuted July 5, 2000, on CBS. The show has continued with multiple seasons each year, including occasional breaks or revivals in different formats.

• United Kingdom (Big Brother): Launched July 18, 2000 on Channel 4, running until 2010, then revived in 2011 on Channel 5, and again in 2023–present on ITV2.

• Global note: The franchise was created by John de Mol Jr., with the Netherlands as the original country in 1999, and has since expanded to many countries with similar “housemates in a locked house” premises.

If you’re looking for a precise count of how many years any specific country’s version has been on air, tell me which country you’re interested in and I’ll give you the exact duration and notable milestones.