Big Brother Mobile Live Feed Access

Since we found out the Big Brother Live Feed would now be available on mobile devices starting with Big Brother 13 there have been a lot of questions. From my discussions with RealNetworks, the folks who bring you the feed access each year, I’ve been able to piece together a lot of details.

Here’s everything I know so far about Big Brother Mobile, but it gets the standard disclaimer as I have no control over the final product. All details are subject to change.

How much does mobile access cost?

Starting with Big Brother 14 there’s no additional fee for mobile access. You’ll get the add-on free with your paid SuperPass Live Feeds subscription.

Which mobile devices will support Big Brother Live Feeds?

You’ll now be able to watch the live feeds on your Android 2.2 and higher powered device (phones, tablets, etc.) and your iOS4 devices from Apple including iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. The development team is pushing to have Android 2.1 also supported and should be ready in time. Details below on how to check your version.

No support announced for Blackberry, Windows Phone, WebOS, etc.

How do I get mobile access for my Feeds?

Just follow the Live Feed sign-up process and your mobile access will be included at no extra cost.

How do I watch the Live Feed on my iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch?

There is no app for iOS. Instead, from your iOS device, navigate Safari to the SuperPass site provided in your registration email after sign-up. The website will detect your iOS system and direct you to a non-Flash site for viewing the Feed.

How do I watch the Live Feed on my Android device?

CBS has released an Android App for Live Feed viewing. From your Android device’s browser navigate to the SuperPass site provided in your registration email after sign-up. The website will detect your Android system and prompt you to either launch the App or use your web browser to view the feeds.

Important Note: Only US users can download the Android App. CBS has not released access to Canadian users. However, Canadian users can still access the mobile Feed on iOS devices.

I’ve downloaded the Android App but am still having problems

Please reference Real’s technical support page for the Android App.

Do I have to pay for access on my Android and again for my iOS devices?

No. There is no longer a mobile access fee and no extra cost to watch on multiple mobile devices even of differing OS types, so mix it up out there!

When can I start using my mobile access add-on?

When the Live Feeds start each season you’ll be able to start using your account on a mobile device as well.

How much of my data plan will this use up?

Good question and you’ll want to be very, very careful with this one. Real says one hour of Feed viewing will run you about 200 Mbps. You’ll want to monitor your data usage to make sure you’re not going to get a nasty cell phone bill this summer.

Last summer I got a mobile broadband account just so I could run the Feeds on my laptop from my desk in the background. I used the broadband account every weekday for about 2-4 hours and never got close to going over the 5GB monthly limit. Your mileage may vary.

Can I just get the mobile add-on?

No. You’ll have to sign-up for the regular Live Feed subscription which includes the mobile access.

Can I use the Flashback feature with the Android App?

Not yet, but RealNetworks is working on it. You’ll have to go to your computer browser for Flashback, but the app will optimize the video stream and experience for you, so there are some strong benefits there.

How do I know which version of iOS or Android I have?

To check your Android version, go to Settings -> About Android -> Android Version.

To check your iOS version, go to Settings -> General -> System: Version #.

Is there a free trial period for Big Brother Mobile?

New for Big Brother 14, the mobile access will be on the same trial period as the desktop access.

What will the iOS interface look like for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch?

Take a look. Here’s the preview image provided by RealNetworks.

Got anymore questions? If you’re ready then go ahead and sign-up now. If you do have more questions then leave a comment below and we will try to help.

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50 Comments

  1. If i sign up for the early discount, will my subscription last until the last episode? Times are tight and i can’t afford to pay additional money if I start this early.

    • As noted above, the Android App won’t be available until July 7th. The developers are still putting the final touches on it.

      Once it is available, you’ll be directed to download it when you visit the SuperPass site from your mobile browser.

  2. I just want to make sure I understand. If I get the early bird special for my laptop its $9.99 and to add my android phone its 4.99 for a total of $14.98 and if I add my Tablet its another 4.99?

    • Nope, not at all. It’s definitely confusing, but here’s how it would work.

      Sign up now and you’ll get a 3-month “season pass” to cover you for the full season. That costs $29.99 (that’s about $9.99 a month) and provides regular computer access.

      Then you’ll be able to add mobile device access for ALL of your devices (Android, iPhone, iPad) for $9.99 for the 3-month season. So you can use your iPhone during the day and then come home and use your Android tablet all under one mobile access add-on.

      So $39.98 gets you coverage on all of your devices for the entire season.

      If you want until the season begins then you could pay up to $14.99 month for the computer access and then another $4.99 for the mobile device access. So that’d be almost $60 for the entire season if you don’t do it until the show is going.

      • Hi Matt, I signed up for the live feeds and the mobile app at the same time. You said we wouldn’t be charged for the mobile app until BB starts however I was charged the day I signed up for the app plus Real overcharged me for the live feeds, which I called today and they are suppose to issue me a credit for the $10 overcharge. Just fyi only for anyone who hasn’t gotten the feeds yet

      • Wow, I’m sorry they did that Lori, but thank you for telling me.

        Our contact at Real told us they wouldn’t bill for the mobile app until 7/7/11 since it wasn’t available. I’ll send him an email now and let them know what’s up.

        Just to make sure I know all the details, did you sign-up for the 3-month plan or the monthly (just in case it’s misbehaving for one method and not the other). Thanks!

      • Hi Matt,
        I signed up for the 3 month plan for both the live feeds and the mobile app. I was charged the full price of the $9.99 on the day I signed up which was Wednesday June 15th. Three days later, after the free trial I was charged $39.98 for the three months of the BB live feeds. Real said they charged me twice for the mobile app and they would be refunding the $9.99 they overcharged me. Which leads me to a question, since Real is charging for the mobile app now what happens when July 7th comes and the app doesn’t work? I mean in case it doesnt work, will I be able to get a refund. You may not know and I may have to wait and find out but I did buy both at the same time like I said and Real did charge me the full $9.99 for the mobile app already. Thank you for lookinhg in to it for me. I appreciate that very much

      • Thanks for the details Lori. I’ll pass these along and see what they say.

        I can’t comment on how Real would handle charges on your account since I’m not associated with them, but I know they’ve always been very good about taking care of problems when they arise.

      • Lori, I just noticed you said you signed up on 6/15. They just told me this week that they were going to hold off on charging folks until the season started. I’m guessing they implemented that policy just in the past few days so you were ahead of that curve. I’ll still follow up though.

      • I had a similar issue:
        I signed up on 6/20. I received an incident report stating the were issuing me a credit for mobile on 6/22.
        On 6/24 a debit to my credit card hit for the amount of $43.43, so I called REAL that same day to complain that I was charged the full amount – they said it was a technical issue.
        Yesterday 6/25 I received another incident report from REAL stating a processing error which caused your Mobile Add-On to be billed a second time occurred and that they have already refunded the second charge. After checking my ban account today…none of it makes any sense to me. The 43.43 charge was never was processed (I assume the canceled that)but I was charged and processed 10.85 on 6/22 and refunded 6.08 on 6/24.

        This has been a horrible experience, they should get their act together before processing payments, which could effect individuals!

  3. Anyone know if we will be able to also “chat” using the iPhone and iPad, just like on the computer??

  4. Why are these apps only for the iPhones & Androids? What about Blackberry users?

  5. I have the iphone 4 with verison 4.3.1 and i can sign in to superpass but can’t play the videos. It says I need the adobe flash. How can I make this work?

    • Starting the evening of 7/7/11 the system will detect that you’re using an iOS 4 device, verify that you have mobile access, and then redirect you to a non-Flash site where you’ll be able to watch the Feeds.

      So no worries, it just hasn’t been implemented yet, but it’s coming.

  6. I have an android based netbook, it runs a browser that supports flash. will I still have to pay extra for the mobile app?
    that is, does CBS/Real just detect android OS and block the ‘regular’ feeds?
    Thanks.

  7. Matt – I had a similar issue to Lori that i posted under your response on June 26, 2011 at 9:12 am….but here is is again:

    I signed up on 6/20. I received an incident report stating the were issuing me a credit for mobile on 6/22.
    On 6/24 a debit to my credit card hit for the amount of $43.43, so I called REAL that same day to complain that I was charged the full amount – they said it was a technical issue.
    Yesterday 6/25 I received another incident report from REAL stating a processing error which caused your Mobile Add-On to be billed a second time occurred and that they have already refunded the second charge. After checking my ban account today…none of it makes any sense to me. The 43.43 charge was never was processed (I assume the canceled that)but I was charged and processed 10.85 on 6/22 and refunded 6.08 on 6/24.

    This has been a horrible experience, they should get their act together before processing payments, which could effect individuals!

    Here is an update as of today 6/28:
    On 6/27 the gave me a credit for the 10.85 and I was also charged the 43.43.

    In total including credits I have paid 37.35, so what will then be charged for the mobile when it goes Live on the July 7th? I may just request to cancel all of this…..

    • Sounds like you should be paid up though and be all covered for the season.

      Disclaimer: You’ll need to check with Real for the final say. I can’t comment on their billing system.

  8. I wasn’t going to get the feeds this year but since I can get it on my android I may try it again. Hope the phone app works good!!

    • I’m getting a whole new phone for this season just so I can watch the feeds on Android. It’s going to be great to have that when I take those rare breaks and go out in to the daylight!

  9. I have a question regarding the live feeds. I ordered the live feeds today and a friend of mine would like to watch them from a different location, without signing up for them, but by using my username and password. My friend plans on reimbursing me for a portion of my 3 month commitment. Is this possible? and if so, can both of us be watching the feeds at the same time from different computers using the same username and password?

    • Sorry, but that would not be approved of by Real and CBS. You each need to have your own accounts.

      Your friend wants to watch but doesn’t want to pay? He’s going to pay you to use your feeds, but Real/CBS wouldn’t get paid. Since you’ll still be watching, are you sending that money to CBS/Real? Doesn’t sound too fair to the providers.

      Just know that Real has said they can detect that sort of “account sharing” and will take action. Sorry.

  10. Matt,

    Thanks for your comment. One follow up question…does it matter then if we don’t log on simulataneously? in other words, if we dont view the live feeds at the same time, is it ok?

    • yes you can both use at same time,i pay for mine and we log on to 2 other pcs in my house to watch in diff rooms ,so yes share it.

  11. I have been trying to sign up for the mobile feeds since last night. I have tried on my iPad 2 as well as on a PC. Every time I try to purchase the mobile feeds on my superpass account I get a “technical difficulties” error. I’ve already signed up and paid for a three month superpass. I’ve tried multiple times to add the mobile feeds. I’ve searched support and even chatted with support. No help. Does anyone else have this problem? I’m so frustrated with it because I just want to stream the feeds on my iPad like I thought I would be able to. Thanks for any input!

  12. I have the feeds on my IPOD but I can’t view one camera, how do I do that? I don’t seem to have the option, only the quad is up unlike my laptop and PC where I can view individual cameras. I only have sound on camera 1 and it’s usually the boring people. Frustrating.

  13. Why can I not get the video to stream on my htc sensation 4g? All it will do is load one second then freeze and try to reload. Help ?

  14. I sooo love this option!!!! I would love to see an iPhone app…big brother live feed!!! It could be paid for upfront andif any additional fees…include in when u have to update!!! Just an objective suggestion! I want on BB!!! Will be looking for casting:))) Ty!!!! Love this page!

  15. Im trying to see how the Mobil thin is goin to work this year. But when I go to live feeds it’s telling me that I cannot view because my device does not support adobe. Will this get fixed before bb14 starts?

  16. I just joined super pass on my iPad 2, it won’t play anything, says I need flash! I am under safari, it says it will play on iPad under safari, but it won’t let me watch anything cause of flash. Can anyone help me with this? Thanks in advance! :)

  17. Why won’t my super pass play on my iPad 2? It says it will play with iPad, but it keeps saying I need flash, I am under safari, can anyone help? Thanks. Can’t wait till July 12th!!!

  18. I m trying to get the feeds on my iPad and iPhone and its just a blank screen, its not redirecting me anywhere? my system is iOS 5.1 and its not working?  any help please?

  19. I hope someone is on here this year. I got the live feeds for my phone 2 days ago. Every time I log in I go to a screen with pre season interviews. It is the one with Ian on it. I can not see anything else. What do I do? I only bought the feeds to watch on my phone. I have an I phone and I have the 5.? Version. All my software is up to date. Thank you

  20. I can’t get my iPhone to work. I go to the log in screen type in my information and hit sign in and all it does is refresh the screen.

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