Big Brother- The revolution begins on Sunday
IT is bigger; it is better; it is different and it is starting this Sunday, September 5. It is Big Brother Africa—Revolution. Once again, there are no prizes for guessing who the Ugandan representative is.
By Sebidde Kiryowa
IT is bigger; it is better; it is different and it is starting this Sunday, September 5. It is Big Brother Africa—Revolution. Once again, there are no prizes for guessing who the Ugandan representative is.
That is a secret Helena Mayanja, the DStv publicist in Uganda, would die to keep. At a time when Channel 4 in the UK is looking to terminate their Big Brother after seven seasons for becoming dull, what we do know for sure is that DStv is not complacent either.
This time round, things are changing drastically hence the label: “revolutionâ€. For starters, we are not going to have Channel O presenter Kabelo Kgakane, who presented the last two seasons, present the show. Instead, in line with the fresh new take on the show, organisers have given the mantle of presenting the show to well-spoken and charming Nigerian television star IK Osakioduwa.
A presenter on M-Net’s flagship lifestyle programme Studio 53, he has also helmed two other M-Net productions—the Nigerian game show Temptation Nigeria and the stand-up series Comedy Club: Live in Lagos.
A graduate of economics from the University of Lagos who began his broadcast career as ‘Wild Child’ on Nigerian radio station Rhythm FM 93.7, the dynamic IK who, outside of Big Brother, will be the housemate’s only link to the outside world, has some advice for contestants: “There will be people watching critically from countries all over Africa.
I think being fake would work against you. Keep it real and hope for the best. Also as much as we are all watching you, try to have some fun with it!â€
However, he will not be the only star on stage come Sunday. The channel announced this week that the launch of BBA—Revolution will also feature up and coming African sensation K’Naan.
The Somali born, Canadian based musician has won global attention for fusing hip hop, rap and reggae with poetic insight and a keen sense of timing.
His breakout album The Dusty Foot Philosopher has become an international hit. But the presenter of the show is only but one change.
This year, the prize money for the winner has been doubled and now stands at a phenomenal $200,000 (sh414m), the largest reality TV cash prize on offer in Africa! Newly introduced open castings in 18 cities and 14 countries up from 12 previously make it the widest BBA search ever.
Essentially, this time round, in addition to housemates from Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, we are going to see housemates from Mozambique, a dynamic and growing economy, and Ethiopia.
Add 40 ‘all-seeing, allknowing’ cameras, and 100 microphones and the new season has almost twice as much sight and sound capability as seasons one, two or three.
In addition, the old rules banning conspiracy in the house have been lifted and contestants will be free to forge alliances, discuss strategy openly and play the game in an entirely different way.
Even the voting is set to undergo a complete transformation. This year, audiences will be asked to vote for the housemates they want to see remain in the series rather than the housemates they want to see leave the house.
So it is all about being positive and keeping the great players in the game!
Top all this off with a dramatic revised format, bolder and more intense than anything audiences have seen so far. “This gives you some idea of the sheer scale of production that is been planned.
And that is just what the channel is willing to reveal right now,†says Mayanja. “The team has been working for months already, finetuning the latest edition, focusing on delivering the ultimate BBA.
We have got quite a few secrets this time round, so you will have to wait and see what happens. We are not going to give away all our surprises, but it is definitely a new series and we mean ‘new,†M-Net Africa director, Biola Adekandi, says in a release.
She says the changes were necessary because: “After three seasons, it was time for a fresh spin, time for bright ideas.
This series is for the fans, to say thank you for supporting Big Brother since it began. So we are giving them the best gift we can — a show to beat all the others.†Once again, all the action will be screened on DStv channel 198, 24 hours a day.
Inside the House
This year’s house is a marked departure from previous seasons, from its technology to its multi-textured, multi-faceted décor.
Polished stainless steel elements sit alongside warm wood tones and rugged stone, whilst canvas drawn paintings share space comfortably with unique graffiti artwork.
Bold colours against a backdrop of neutrals provide key focal points throughout the house while wide open spaces allow for a feeling of space and tranquility.
Add one gleaming kitchen which could be termed a chef’s dream, with all the modern conveniences, plus an open plan lounge accentuated in leather and luxurious throws, and the house fuses classic design ethics with a fun, easygoing twist.
Other rooms include an elegant bathroom, dormitory styled bedroom, polished dark wood dining area, and the always powerful diary room.
Outside, a decked patio offers cool comfort while the lush garden is offset by the sparkling plunge pool, the one element unchanged in tribute to last season.
M-Net Africa director Biola Alabi, says: “We wanted a space where the contestants would feel welcome, relaxed and at ease.â€
With 100 microphones at work and 40 cameras, the BIG BROTHER AFRICA house is a technological accomplishment which includes over 14 000 metres of cabling.
IT is bigger; it is better; it is different and it is starting this Sunday, September 5. It is Big Brother Africa—Revolution. Once again, there are no prizes for guessing who the Ugandan representative is.
That is a secret Helena Mayanja, the DStv publicist in Uganda, would die to keep. At a time when Channel 4 in the UK is looking to terminate their Big Brother after seven seasons for becoming dull, what we do know for sure is that DStv is not complacent either.
This time round, things are changing drastically hence the label: “revolutionâ€. For starters, we are not going to have Channel O presenter Kabelo Kgakane, who presented the last two seasons, present the show. Instead, in line with the fresh new take on the show, organisers have given the mantle of presenting the show to well-spoken and charming Nigerian television star IK Osakioduwa.
A presenter on M-Net’s flagship lifestyle programme Studio 53, he has also helmed two other M-Net productions—the Nigerian game show Temptation Nigeria and the stand-up series Comedy Club: Live in Lagos.
A graduate of economics from the University of Lagos who began his broadcast career as ‘Wild Child’ on Nigerian radio station Rhythm FM 93.7, the dynamic IK who, outside of Big Brother, will be the housemate’s only link to the outside world, has some advice for contestants: “There will be people watching critically from countries all over Africa.
I think being fake would work against you. Keep it real and hope for the best. Also as much as we are all watching you, try to have some fun with it!â€
However, he will not be the only star on stage come Sunday. The channel announced this week that the launch of BBA—Revolution will also feature up and coming African sensation K’Naan.
The Somali born, Canadian based musician has won global attention for fusing hip hop, rap and reggae with poetic insight and a keen sense of timing.
His breakout album The Dusty Foot Philosopher has become an international hit. But the presenter of the show is only but one change.
This year, the prize money for the winner has been doubled and now stands at a phenomenal $200,000 (sh414m), the largest reality TV cash prize on offer in Africa! Newly introduced open castings in 18 cities and 14 countries up from 12 previously make it the widest BBA search ever.
Essentially, this time round, in addition to housemates from Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, we are going to see housemates from Mozambique, a dynamic and growing economy, and Ethiopia.
Add 40 ‘all-seeing, allknowing’ cameras, and 100 microphones and the new season has almost twice as much sight and sound capability as seasons one, two or three.
In addition, the old rules banning conspiracy in the house have been lifted and contestants will be free to forge alliances, discuss strategy openly and play the game in an entirely different way.
Even the voting is set to undergo a complete transformation. This year, audiences will be asked to vote for the housemates they want to see remain in the series rather than the housemates they want to see leave the house.
So it is all about being positive and keeping the great players in the game!
Top all this off with a dramatic revised format, bolder and more intense than anything audiences have seen so far. “This gives you some idea of the sheer scale of production that is been planned.
And that is just what the channel is willing to reveal right now,†says Mayanja. “The team has been working for months already, finetuning the latest edition, focusing on delivering the ultimate BBA.
We have got quite a few secrets this time round, so you will have to wait and see what happens. We are not going to give away all our surprises, but it is definitely a new series and we mean ‘new,†M-Net Africa director, Biola Adekandi, says in a release.
She says the changes were necessary because: “After three seasons, it was time for a fresh spin, time for bright ideas.
This series is for the fans, to say thank you for supporting Big Brother since it began. So we are giving them the best gift we can — a show to beat all the others.†Once again, all the action will be screened on DStv channel 198, 24 hours a day.
Inside the House
This year’s house is a marked departure from previous seasons, from its technology to its multi-textured, multi-faceted décor.
Polished stainless steel elements sit alongside warm wood tones and rugged stone, whilst canvas drawn paintings share space comfortably with unique graffiti artwork.
Bold colours against a backdrop of neutrals provide key focal points throughout the house while wide open spaces allow for a feeling of space and tranquility.
Add one gleaming kitchen which could be termed a chef’s dream, with all the modern conveniences, plus an open plan lounge accentuated in leather and luxurious throws, and the house fuses classic design ethics with a fun, easygoing twist.
Other rooms include an elegant bathroom, dormitory styled bedroom, polished dark wood dining area, and the always powerful diary room.
Outside, a decked patio offers cool comfort while the lush garden is offset by the sparkling plunge pool, the one element unchanged in tribute to last season.
M-Net Africa director Biola Alabi, says: “We wanted a space where the contestants would feel welcome, relaxed and at ease.â€
With 100 microphones at work and 40 cameras, the BIG BROTHER AFRICA house is a technological accomplishment which includes over 14 000 metres of cabling.