"Big Brother" season 28 (2026) is bringing one of the most popular reality TV shows back to the screens for its annual run across the U.S. summer, as Julie Chen Moonves returns to orchestrate the claustrophobic caper.
Our guide explains how to watch "Big Brother USA" 2026 online from anywhere with a VPN, and potentially for FREE!
Season 28 of "Big Brother USA" premieres on Thursday, July 9
• U.S. — CBS / Paramount Plus / Pluto TV (free live feed)
• CAN — Global TV (FREE)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk-free
It's testimony to the popularity of the show and its familiar format that this run will see "Big Brother USA" hit its 1,000th episode, 26 years on from its very first airing.
Full details of what to expect from its 28th run will soon be revealed, but CBS is promising "new Houseguests, possible showmances, Zingbot craziness, themed competitions, and more". And if you just can't get enough of the drama, you'll be able to dip in and out with the usual 24/7 feed from inside the house.
This year also sees the return of the "Big Brother: Unlocked" companion show that goes out on Saturdays and will be hosted by screen legend Jerry O’Connell alongside Taylor Hale and Derrick Levasseur.
Here you'll find out everything you need to watch "Big Brother USA" 2026 online and stream episodes from wherever you are in the world — including details of where it is showing for free.
How to watch 'Big Brother' USA S28 for free
The live feed of "Big Brother USA" 2026 is streaming for FREE on Pluto TV in the U.S.
So although you'll need CBS or Paramount Plus for regular episodes, you can watch 24/7 coverage for free through Pluto. You don't need to register — just go to Pluto and start watching (from 9 p.m. ET on Friday, July 10).
The cheapest way to get access to the regular show is to get a $1 Walmart Plus trial — Paramount Plus Essential is included as part of the subscription. While there are free trials available for OTT services such as Fubo and YouTube TV
Plus, north of the border in Canada, episodes will be streamed by Global TV absolutely FREE the day after they air for a limited time.
Outside North America and can't access the Pluto or Global TV feed? You can fix that with a VPN lik ethe industry-leading NordVPN.
Watch 'Big Brother USA' from anywhere
Away from home at the moment and blocked from watching "Big Brother" on your usual subscription?
You can still stream the show thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network). The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are. So ideal for viewers away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN — we explain why in our NordVPN review.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a Canadian service, you'd select Canada from the server list.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Global TV or another streaming service and watch "Big Brother".
Watch 'Big Brother USA' 2026 in the U.S.
This year's "Big Brother" premieres on CBS on Thursday, July 9 at 8 p.m. ET / PT. Regular episodes air at that same time on Sundays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the "Unlocked" companion shows on Saturdays.
It's also available to stream online via the network's Paramount Plus platform. To watch as it goes out on CBS, you'll need Paramount Plus Premium that costs $13.99/month or $139.99/year. Or, if you don't mind catching up a day later, you can choose Paramount Plus Essential for $8.99/month $89.99/year.
And there's a sneaky hack we've found to get the Essential (not Premium) plan, which comes bundled with a 30-day trial to Walmart Plus costing only $1.
Paramount Plus will host a 24/7 live feed alongside the free ad-supported Pluto TV as explained above.
You can also watch CBS via live TV streaming services that carry local CBS stations, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV.
If you're outside of the U.S. and have one of these subscriptions, you can still watch "Big Brother" 28 streams by using a VPN.
How to watch 'Big Brother USA' season 28 around the world
How to watch 'Big Brother USA' 2026 in Canada for FREE
Viewers in Canada can watch "Big Brother USA" season 28 on the same schedule as the U.S. via Global TV (it's worth noting that this is the last year it will go it on the network).
Episodes are available to stream for FREE for a limited time (one week) on the Global TV website and app.
Canadian abroad? If you’re away from home, you can access your usual services easily with NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Big Brother USA' 2026 in the U.K?
Even though Paramount Plus is available in the U.K. it doesn't show "Big Brother USA" and there's no sign that it will be shown on any other channels.
If you're traveling to the U.K. and wish to watch your domestic streams of season 28 then you can use a VPN to avoid geo-restrictions and stream as if you were back at home. Full details above.
Can I watch 'Big Brother USA' 2026 in Australia?
As with previous seasons, it doesn't look as though "Big Brother USA" S28 will be broadcast in Australia on Paramount Plus or any other services.
Remember, if you’re traveling Down Under from the U.S. and want to watch on Pluto or Paramount Plus, purchasing a VPN will allow you to watch "Big Brother USA" online as normal.
More from Tom's Guide
- Tom's Guide to the FIFA World Cup 2026
- The best streaming VPN
- How to watch 'Love Island USA' season 8 online from anywhere — stream 2026 episodes
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
