No Big Brother 3

Housemates will be selected from around Africa for the new version of the show, which will differ from the South African version in that there won't be live crowds on eviction nights as it is believed that this would unfairly weight support for South African contestants.

The show, which starts in mid-May, will be exclusive to DStv subscribers, catering to the pay-channel's pan-African service. The contestants will be drawn from its nine key territories, of which South Africa is only one part. The aim, says M-Net's Carl Fischer, is to build the subscriber base in Africa.

M-Net is hoping to begin the selection process of contestants in each country this month.