Prepare yourself, Australia. Channel 9’s highly-acclaimed renovation reality series, The Block, is set to launch its 19th season this year, with the premiere scheduled for Sunday, August 6 at 7 pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
This anniversary marks two decades since The Block first graced our screens from Bondi, a series that indisputably transformed the nation’s television framework. Reflecting on this milestone, Executive Producer Julian Cress, who co-created the program with David Barbour, expressed,
“Just the mere act of getting The Block commissioned was a significant feat. It’s staggering to consider that we’re still producing it 20 years on.”
Indeed, this upcoming season pledges to deviate from any we’ve seen before, with a slew of unprecedented elements in the offing. At the heart of the competition this year is an intensified state rivalry.
Five dedicated couples will vie for the top prize, each representing their respective states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Western Australia.
Adding to the mounting pressure, contestants face the challenging prospect of constructing secondary accommodation within their properties. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Hampton East’s Charming Street, five homes, emblematic of 1950s design, await a modern overhaul. It remains to be seen if the teams, often termed ‘Blockheads’, are up to the challenge.
This season’s couples encompass a diverse array of backgrounds:
- VIC sisters: Personal assistant Eliza (37) and integration producer Liberty Paschke (34)
- WA parents: Firefighter Kyle (36) and teaching aide Leslie Cottone (34)
- QLD parent-duo: First aid officer Leah (32) and builder Ash Milton (38)
- SA married pair: Project manager Kristy (34) and safety officer Brett Beams (34)
- NSW wedded team: Architect Steph (27) and start-up worker Gian Ottavio (27)
Scott Cam, the Gold Logie-winning host, expressed his enthusiasm for the 17th series he’s leading, terming it a “dead-set blockbuster”. He hinted at the surprise awaiting teams in the form of an added granny flat construction and, in a first for The Block, the provision of a complete building schedule upfront.
Shelley Craft, Cam’s co-host, anticipates that the 1950s homes, though seemingly enchanting, might conceal some unforeseen challenges.
Adding a fresh perspective to the judging panel, real estate aficionado Marty Fox will join mainstays Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Neale Whitaker.
Fox’s inclusion comes as Whitaker opts for a reduced role this season. Fox is no stranger to The Block, having previously overseen sales for a couple of its properties.
