CBS has chosen to do something today that’s pissed a lot of Big Brother Live Feed subscribers off: blocked viewing for more than 37 hours. As a paying subscriber, I can see why people get mad, even though the day and a half’s worth of feeds equals a few bucks, its the point of the advertisement: 27/7 access to the Big Brother House. “Catch every second of Big Brother 6 live online!” and “Fully Exposed: Every mood, move, and mindgame” are some of their more-used hooks.
I know why they do what they do…not showing the actual Veto Competitions, Veto Ceremonies, etc. There’s got to be some reason for the Live Feeders to watch the programs. Blocking the fights, so America doesn’t see how Big Brother intervenes on unplanned events in the house. When the more ‘adult’ actions take place, they manipulate it just enough that we know that’s going on, without having the naked details right in front of us. Even though we know within minutes of coming back from ‘FISH’ what happened, we have to wait until the broadcast to catch the details. But today is different.
Last year, when we were in a similar situation, with PoV Comp, PoV Ceremony, Evictions, HoH Comp, and Nominations within a 24 hour period, we got to see what happened in the house in between those events. This year, the powers that be at CBS have chosen not even to grace us with that privilege. Out of the 8+ hours of fish we’ve had today, we caught 45 seconds of feed moments after Eviction. Although, they were prime seconds, enough for us to figure out who was evicted.
Lots of rumors are floating around as to the possible reason for this change. Maybe they are re-playing the HoH Comp, after Janelle’s controversial win. Maybe someone in the House pushed the ‘panic’ button, and have chosen to leave. Maybe things got so heated between the Friendship and the Sovereign 3 that a fight broke out. My guess is none of the above; they just don’t want Spoilers like myself leaking out the information of what’s going on.
I find it ironic, even sad that CBS advertised the 24/7 Live Feeds during Thursday night’s show, telling viewers that the would be able to catch the details of what’s going on in the house, yet turn around later the next day to block that access they advertise. Something just doesn’t sound all to right about that. In addition, the Live-Feeders were only made aware of what was going on in the house after many phone calls were made, pressuring both CBS and RealPlayer to post statements on their websites. I know I was one of the suckers camped out in front of my computer for 4 hours, listening to the bubbling-sound-loop, and getting excited when there was an instant of no sound (which usually indicates a return from competition).
Lots of people have called to complain about this issue. CBS has been flooded with inquiries and complains. I’ve even seen a link to an FCC complaint form, on false advertisement. I don’t think I’d take it that far myself, but on principle, I agree. If I’m going to pay for something that’s advertised as 24/7 access to the BB House, I would assume that meant human beings, not the lovely blue and yellow fish that inhabit the fish tank in the Living Room.
Want to get more info and commentary on the goings on in the BB house?
Head on over to Big Brother Six Spoilers and Live Feed Discussion .
