HGTV has announced that it is bringing back a wide variety of fan-favorite shows starting this fall—after coming under furious criticism for executing a programming purge that saw multiple series being axed.
The network sparked controversy in July when it revealed that it was canceling several popular shows: “Bargain Block,” “Married to Real Estate,” “Farmhouse Fixer,” “Izzy Does It,” “Christina on the Coast,” and “The Flipping El Moussas.”
Though the network did not comment on the cancellations, reports at the time suggested that the move came amid a ratings disaster that had seen HGTV losing half of its audience within a matter of years.
HGTV has now seemingly attempted to refute those claims by announcing a robust programming lineup that will see multiple shows returning to the airwaves—including the “House Hunters” franchise, which will now feature four new spinoffs.
“Property Brothers” stars Drew and Jonathan Scott have also been given a new platform in the form of “Property Brothers: Under Pressure,” a 14-episode spinoff that will see them providing advice to green homebuyers who are nervous about navigating the market.
“My Lottery Dream Home,” which stars David Bromstad taking recent lottery winners on a search for their dream dwelling, will also be making a return to the network, as will “Love It or List It,” starring Hilary Farr and David Visentin; and “Renovaton Aloha,” which features Tristyn and Kamohai Kalama.
“With this programming order, HGTV is delivering more of our tried-and-true formats that drive consistent ratings for the network, while also featuring new talent and concepts to engage our devoted fans and attract different audiences,” Howard Lee, Warner Bros. Discovery’s chief creative officer of U.S. Networks, said in a statement to Us Weekly.
“HGTV’s passionate fans tune in for our signature home renovation, real estate and design expertise, and they also want content that’s unfiltered, escapist and fun.
“The network’s large order of new and returning series has something for everyone,” Lee added.
The network has yet to comment on claims made in a report by Deadline, which suggested that plummeting viewer numbers were to blame for the removal of multiple HGTV shows earlier this year.
The outlet, which spoke to numerous sources that produce for the network, said that HGTV averaged about 1.5 million viewers in 2017, citing Nielsen.
However, since then, the network has struggled to bring in audiences, with its average viewership last year coming in at 773,000.
The U.S. Television Database lists HGTV as the seventh most popular TV channel, with an average of 628,000 viewers.
According to Deadline’s story, the company is struggling to attract viewers aged 18 to 49, losing 26% among that demographic in the past year.
In 2017, viewers aged 18 to 49 averaged 425,000, while 2024 saw only 101,000.
The outlet noted that part of the reason for HGTV’s troubles is the large budget it takes to produce and put on a home renovation show.
The overhaul shows reportedly cost upward of $500,000 per episode.
One source told the outlet, “Home reno shows are expensive because all of the materials are jacked up and on delay, the price of wood and marble and everything else is going up, so these shows don’t make as much sense anymore.”
An unnamed producer who makes the network’s renovation shows come to life said, “Stuff wouldn’t arrive on time; we had wood floors, for instance, that would come in six weeks after we started production, and then we’re also depending on contractors.
“Everyone knows if you’re doing construction on your home, you never come in on budget. So, try to apply that to a show that has really strict budgets. Some of our episodes took 16 weeks to shoot; it’s more labor-intensive than doing a real estate show.”
Real estate shows reportedly cost around $200,000 to $300,00 per episode and take a shorter amount of time to film.
HGTV is also struggling to compete with social media creators who show off their DIY renovations on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
Since June 18, the hosts of “Bargain Block,” “Married to Real Estate,” “Farmhouse Fixer,” and “Izzy Does It” have all shared the heartbreaking news about their shows’ cancellations.
The following week, sources said that “Christina on the Coast” and “The Flipping El Moussas” had been given the ax by the network.
