The place where “Big Brother” is filmed could soon belong to Netflix.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Netflix is in “final talks” to purchase the Radford Studio Center lot in Los Angeles for about $330 million. A source told the outlet the deal is “all but done.”
For “Big Brother,” that location is key. It’s where the show has been filmed since season 6 in 2005.
The longtime CBS reality show is filmed on Sound Stage 18 at Radford Studio Center in Studio City, California, according to reporting from outlets including The Sun. While the house looks different every season, it’s built inside the same soundstage and redesigned each summer to match the theme.
CBSFor example, season 25 used a “multiverse” concept. Season 24 leaned into a festival theme. Other seasons have included beach- and hotel-style designs. The structure itself, however, stays in the same place.
Houseguests live inside that set for the duration of filming, sometimes for up to around 100 days, cut off from the outside world and recorded 24/7.
Where the ‘Big Brother’ House Actually Is
CBSDespite how it appears on TV, the “Big Brother” house is not a real home.
It’s a constructed set inside Radford Studio Center, a 55-acre production lot in Los Angeles that has been used for film and TV since it opened in 1928, according to Travel Noire.
CBSThe studio has hosted a wide range of productions over the years, including “Seinfeld,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Will & Grace,” and “That ’70s Show,” along with films like “Scream 3,” the outlet reported.
Each season of “Big Brother,” the interior is rebuilt from the ground up inside the soundstage. Walls, rooms, and design elements are created specifically for that season’s theme, according to The Sun.
What’s Happening With ‘Big Brother’ Filming Location in Los Angeles?
GettyRadford Studio Center has changed hands before.
According to prior reporting from Variety, the lot was purchased in 2021 by Hackman Capital Partners as part of a larger deal involving ViacomCBS assets. The company later defaulted on a $1.1 billion mortgage tied to the property, and control shifted to lenders, including Goldman Sachs.
Now, The Hollywood Reporter reports that Netflix is close to buying the studio.
GettyThe outlet states the lot includes 22 soundstages, office buildings, and additional production space. It has also been described in corporate materials as needing updates after years of under-investment.
Netflix currently leases studio space across LA, including locations it holds through 2031. The reported purchase would give the streaming company ownership of a full production campus in the city.
What This Sale Means for ‘Big Brother’
CBS“Big Brother” is produced by and aired on CBS and has continued to film at Radford Studio Center since season 6 in 2005.
At the time of publication, there has been no announcement from CBS, Netflix, or the studio about any changes to the show’s filming location.
As far as “Big Brother” season 28 and beyond, it remains unclear what the future holds at this time. Regarding the upcoming season, no details, including the cast, theme, or release date, have been announced. The show typically premieres in the summer in early July.
