Channel 4 confirms BB launch schedule

Channel 4 has finally confirmed the schedule for launch night, DS:BB can report.

The new crop of housemates will enter the house in a live 75-minute special, hosted by Davina, from 9pm on Friday, May 27.

Dermot will return with an hour-long BBLB at 11.25pm, where he'll take "a more detailed look at the house plans" and get initial reactions on the new housemates from a group of psychologists.

As usual, live coverage will blanket E4's schedule but on launch night, C4 viewers will get to watch an extended bout of streaming between 1am and 4am.

The launch will be preceded by a week of BB-related shows on E4, beginning at 10pm on Monday, May 23 with Big Brother's Most Outrageous Housemates, a look at the most eccentric contestants from the UK and around the globe.

Tuesday's special will seek Big Brother's Funniest Housemate, while on Wednesday and Thursday they will countdown the Top 20 Housemates, as voted for by readers of the C4 website. Dermot will act as compere for all of the special shows.

Once again E4 will also be streaming the auditions during the daytime hours, beginning at 6am on Saturday, May 21. This year, the streaming will comprise footage from the open calls, as well as hopefuls sitting in the diary room trying to explain why they should be picked.

The network is planning to release more information this Tuesday, May 17.