Big Brothers TV ratings are apparently up an average of 12% on the equivalent stage last year. Thats what arguments and potential romance do for you. It will be interesting to see if this growth continues following the introduction of the bars, as arguments and romance are now in short supply.

The fact that audience figures are up make the seemingly permanent format change even more perplexing.
Some people have been complaining about the show this year but these complaints are about contestant choice and the running of the show not the basic format and have obviously not affected the ratings anyway.

I watched tonights show and really didn't enjoy it much. It all semed very claustrophobic and depressing with less interaction between the contestants. Perhaps I'll get used to it in a few weeks but I still don't see what was wrong with the old format. From these and other forums it seems clear that the vast majority would rather the bars came down in a week or sooner and some people (me for example) do seem to be losing faith in the show.

Why do such a risky change at a critical stage in the show and when the ratings are up?

Free the housemates!