VIRGIN MEDIA IRELAND has confirmed it will not broadcast Big Brother UK this year, sparking outrage among fans.

The broadcaster has held exclusive rights to the ITV reality series in Ireland since 2015, making it the only way Irish viewers could watch the show on TV.

But ahead of the 2025 season, Virgin Media announced it has dropped the programme from its schedule.

Big Brother follows contestants, known as “housemates”, living together in a specially constructed house cut off from the outside world. They are constantly monitored by cameras and microphones, with weekly public votes deciding who stays and who goes.

The last remaining housemate wins a cash prize. Irish presenter Brian Dowling currently serves as one of the show’s hosts.

In a statement to The Journal, Virgin Media said: “As our programming continues to evolve in line with audience interests and viewing habits, we’re focusing on bringing fresh, exciting new content to our schedule this year.”

The broadcaster echoed the message on social media, telling viewers it was “focusing on fresh new content we think you’ll love”, while acknowledging “some confusion” over the change.

Virgin Media Two, previously the home of Big Brother, will instead air Love Island Games in the same slot.

Very disappointing that @VirginMedia_TV have decided to not air Big Brother in ireland this year. It makes no sense when irish people can apply to be on the show but can't watch it? Also a former winner and host is the presenter of your biggest show. Sort this mess out #BBUK

— Daniel (@danielarf21) September 21, 2025

Fans, however, are not impressed.

A petition urging the broadcaster to change the decision has been launched, and people have voiced their concerns on social media.

One viewer branded the decision “abysmal”, adding that “their pathetic attempt at launching a slate of ‘fresh new content’ has been a disaster.”

A fan from Cork told The Journal: “Big Brother wasn’t just a social experiment for the people in there, it also connected me and my friends socially who watch it together and discuss the series. Virgin Media was the only outlet for us to watch it.

“It’s very disappointing,” they added.

“Big Brother has been cancelled twice and this feels like a third cancellation to us Irish viewers.

“It’s going to send people to get dodgy boxes.”

A fan in her 20s from Dublin said: “I’m annoyed. My laptop is already slow, I don’t want to get a VPN to watch it.”

Another fan on social media was more blunt. “Nobody wants fresh new content in the form of Love Island Games. THEY WANT BIG BROTHER.”

The abysmal Virgin Media Player forcing me to buy a VPN so I can watch Big Brother UK, atleast I won't have to deal with it buffering every 2 minutes anymore pic.twitter.com/XMLa1nusD4

— Reba News and Updates (@BAB00SHKA_1) September 24, 2025