ITV has announced a new companion show for Big Brother titled Big Brother: The Group Chat, a visualised podcast that will replace the broadcaster's Late and Live strand. The programme will air Sunday to Thursday across ITV2, ITVX, YouTube and major podcast platforms, delivering daily wrap-ups and interviews as the series returns next month.
Format and presenters
The new show will be co-presented by former Big Brother winner Kate Lawler and media personality GK Barry. Producers say the format will feature interviews with evicted housemates alongside “the inside scoop from those who know the house best”, aiming to blend immediate reaction with wider commentary for viewers and listeners.
- Title: Big Brother: The Group Chat
- When: Sunday to Thursday during the Big Brother run
- Where: ITV2, ITVX, YouTube and major podcast platforms
- Hosts: Kate Lawler and GK Barry
- Main Big Brother presenters: AJ Odudu and Will Best (returning)
What viewers can expect
The Group Chat replaces the Late and Live show that accompanied previous series and moves the companion content into the visual podcast space — a format that combines audio podcasting with footage and visual elements for online audiences. ITV has framed the show as both a post-eviction interview vehicle and a space for commentary from those with close knowledge of the house.
“I’ve been a massive Big Brother fan for years, so getting the chance to be part of the show in this way is genuinely a dream come true,” GK Barry said.
Big Brother's main series is set to return with AJ Odudu and Will Best resuming presenting duties. The companion podcast will provide additional content aimed at viewers who follow the show across linear television and streaming platforms.
Local angle: what this means for Barry audiences
For audiences in Barry, as across the UK, the move underlines how major reality formats are adapting to changing viewing habits. By distributing companion content across broadcast, streaming and podcast feeds, ITV is seeking to reach audiences who increasingly watch on-demand or via social platforms rather than relying solely on late-night television.
Local viewers who follow Big Brother will now be able to choose from multiple ways to engage with the show — tuning in on the evening linear channel, catching clips on YouTube or subscribing to the visual podcast for an on-the-go option. The schedule of five nightly slots holds the potential to keep conversation about the show running through the working week.
Producers and channel executives have not released a full schedule of episode lengths or the precise start date beyond the confirmation that Big Brother returns next month. The commissioning of a visual podcast reflects a broader trend in television commissioning towards multi-platform packages that tie streaming, social and broadcast output together.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Companion show | Big Brother: The Group Chat |
| Hosts | Kate Lawler and GK Barry |
| Platforms | ITV2, ITVX, YouTube, major podcast platforms |
| Broadcast days | Sunday–Thursday |
As the series approaches, local pubs, social groups and online communities in Barry are likely to see renewed conversation around the show, particularly as companion content becomes easier to access at different times of day. For viewers who prefer radio-style listening or short-form clips, the visual podcast model offers multiple entry points into the ongoing storylines that unfold in the Big Brother house.
ITV has not yet detailed the production team behind The Group Chat or whether the companion show will include live audience elements or interactive segments for viewers. Further announcements are expected as the main series launch date draws nearer.
