No more Bigg Boss OTT? Inside the major shake-up and why the makers are changing the rules

A major strategic change is taking place in the world of India's most popular reality TV series. The makers of Bigg Boss have officially announced the end of the solo model for Bigg Boss OTT, the digitally exclusive spin-off of the captive reality series.

Who are the hosts and winners of Bigg Boss OTT?

As per the latest reports, the makers are aiming to simplify the Bigg Boss world, which has grown rapidly across regional markets, and this choice comes as they do so. Bigg Boss OTT has been a shorter and frequently more creative bridge between seasons of the broadcast show since its OTT debut in 2021. Karan Johar hosted the first season, and Divya Aggarwal took home the trophy. Thereafter, Salman Khan hosted a huge second season, and YouTuber Elvish Yadav became the show's first-ever wildcard winner. Anil Kapoor hosted Season 3, which concluded with Sana Makbul taking home the prize.

The production is heading towards a more integrated broadcast strategy, according to creator Rishi Negi, even though the digital seasons had excellent interaction metrics. In an interview with the Indian Express, he discussed the change and the ratings success of Bigg Boss Marathi 6 and made the future of the programming cycle clear.

ALSO READ: Bigg Boss OTT 4 advanced and Salman Khan returning as host? Here's everything we know

What did the creator of Bigg Boss OTT say about the reality show?

"With the Hindi version, we went digital first last year. In effect, that becomes the property which first runs on JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) and then comes on TV, and I think that’s the cycle that will be followed. In all other languages, we run a simulcast, but I believe there is a very large market at the OTT and TV level. The audience are very diverse, and they love watching the show on TV. My mother only watches Bigg Boss on TV. There is a large audience that watches at appointment time, and both get us a different set of audiences," Negi remarked, confirming the reversal of the previous plan for an OTT-only season.

It seems like this change is a reaction to how the Indian audience are changing their consumption habits. Traditional television broadcasts still generate a lot of money from ads and have their "appointment viewing" loyalists, even though digital customers on services like JioHotstar (OTTplay Premium) enjoy the 24/7 live feed.

How will scrapping of Bigg Boss OTT affect the brand?

The "indefinite scrapping" of the OTT-specific brand, according to industry analysts, frees up production funds for the main Hindi televised season and the expanding regional market. The exact region for the launch of the new Bigg Boss language version has not been officially announced, although rumours say it will be later this year.

Bigg Boss Marathi 6 reportedly served as a model for how regional editions of the franchise might continue to thrive in the absence of a digital-only original, thanks to its record-breaking TRP numbers during its new hosting. Hindi format lovers will have to hold tight until the main winter season, which is expected to stick to its hybrid distribution strategy—launching digital segments first, then transitioning to linear television.

Bigg Boss OTT FAQs:

Q: Is Bigg Boss OTT Season 4 cancelled?

A: Yes. The makers have confirmed that the standalone digital-exclusive format, known as Bigg Boss OTT, has been indefinitely scrapped. Instead of a separate digital-only season, the franchise is moving toward an integrated model where the main Hindi season will serve both digital and television audiences.

Q: Why did the makers discontinue Bigg Boss OTT?

A: Creator Rishi Negi stated that the move is designed to streamline the franchise and avoid "audience fragmentation."

Q: Who won the last season of Bigg Boss OTT?

A: Sana Makbul was the winner of the final digital-exclusive season, Bigg Boss OTT 3, which was hosted by Anil Kapoor. Previous winners of the digital format include Divya Aggarwal (Season 1) and Elvish Yadav (Season 2).