Everyone will get a chance to create their own slice of backyard bliss, no matter how green their thumb, when the brand-new gardening makeover program, The Garden Hustle, premieres Saturday, November 18, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Hosted by Australian actress Lisa McCune, who has a passion for DIY gardening, and renowned garden landscaper Dave Franklin (along with resident pooch Robin), this series follows everyday homeowners, renters and unit dwellers on their journey to make their garden shine.
Always aspirational and achievable, every makeover featured will be carried out by the occupants themselves as they hustle to turn a tired space into a green oasis. Expect real-life mess, chaos, and plenty of laughs as these passionate home gardeners take their vision from Pinterest to real-life perfection.
Each pair of occupants will be provided with the necessary supplies to tackle their ambitious designs, in return for their passion and effort to spruce up their garden.
To guide us through every episode, Lisa McCune and Dave Franklin will connect with the people at the heart of each project before Robin gives the final lick of approval.
This homegrown production full of heart and humour will become a feelgood gardening fix with plenty of genius garden tips, tricks and timesavers for viewers to try.
The Garden Hustle is an Ambience Entertainment production for the 9Network.
THE GARDEN HUSTLE SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, AT 7.30PM ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
For further information, please contact: Aimee Ball 9Network Publicity aimee.ball@nine.com.au
Embark on a paw-some journey into the touching tales of our four-legged friends in need, and meet the extraordinary individuals who stop at nothing to rescue them, when For the Love of Pets premieres Friday, November 17, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Narrated by Australian actor, Hollywood star and animal lover Jai Courtney, this special docu-series sheds light on the harsh realities faced by animals while introducing viewers to the unsung heroes who have turned their love of pets into a way of life.
From the tireless efforts of RSPCA Queensland’s animal carers, dedicated to rescuing and rehoming thousands of cats and dogs each year, to the Queensland Veterinary Specialists and Pet Emergency team with their expertise for pets facing life-threatening injuries and diseases, the series sheds light on the profound impact of our connection with pets.
Viewers will fall in love with pets like Bruno, the one-year-old white Husky whose life took a bad turn after being hit by a car, leaving him with bruised lungs, and Bonnie, the endearing Staffy who steals the spotlight upon her return to the RSPCA after five years, bringing not only extra love but a few extra kilos. Plus Benny, the precious pup who brought solace to a widow but now finds himself at the heart of a bittersweet rehoming decision, and a resilient four-month-old stray cat battling neglect and facing the possibility of a leg amputation.
Jai Courtney said: “My pitbull, Velvet, has me wrapped around her paw, so it’s easy to empathise with these pet owners dealing with the unimaginable and be in complete awe of the incredible folks who pull off these medical miracles that defy the odds.
“Bruno, Bonnie, Benny and the fearless stray cat offer just a peek into the loveable cast of characters that we get to meet this season, and they’re bound to pull at your heartstrings.”
For the Love of Pets is a Context Media production, with executive producers Peter Jenetsky and Tim Clucas, alongside series producer Ian Withnall.
Get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions on For the Love of Pets, from Friday, November 17, at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
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For further information, please contact: Claudine Blondeau Communications Manager, Nine Queensland cblondeau@nine.com.au
Australian music’s biggest night of the year, the 2023 ARIA Awards will light up our screens for its 37th edition of its annual awards night, with a special presentation on Channel 9 and 9Now, Wednesday, November 15 at 7.30pm.
From Sydney’s famous music venue, The Hordern Pavilion, the awards will be hosted by 9Network’s own Brooke Boney alongside comedian and radio host Tommy Little. In a celebration of the year that was in Australian music, showcasing and honouring the incredible talents of the best in our home grown music community.
The awards will feature exclusive performances from some of Australia’s best and this year’s nominees, including G Flip, Budjerah, DMA’S, Brad Cox, Fanny Lumsden, Jessica Mauboy, Meg Mac and Peach PRC.
Celebrating 50 years of Hip Hop in Australia, there will also be a special performance presentation by Bliss n Eso, Barkaa, 1200 Techniques, DJ Krissy and Sound Unlimited Posse featuring Kye.
Additionally, 2023’s ARIA Hall of Fame inductees, Jet, will perform a medley of their iconic songs to close out the awards ceremony.
Throughout the evening, a stellar list of Australia’s favourite artists and personalities will present awards across 29 categories, including Troye Sivan, Dolly Parton, Baker Boy, Claudia Karvan, Dylan Alcott, Marcia Hines, Cub Sport, Dermot Kennedy, Jack River, Jessica Mauboy, Joel Corry, Kate Ceberano, Pia Miranda, Thelma Plum, Poppy Reid, Smallzy, Hau Latukefu and Triple J’s Bryce & Concetta.
9Network’s Director of Programming and 9Now, Hamish Turner: “The 9Network are thrilled to again be broadcasting the ARIA Awards, showcasing its brilliant performances and awarding some of the biggest and best names in the industry. We are excited to celebrate and honour the incredible talents of the Australian music industry.”
2023 ARIA AWARDS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 7.30PM AEDT ON CHANNEL 9 AND 9NOW
As high school leavers prepare for their next stage of their education, Nine’s metro mastheads have launched digital hub Campus to help students navigate their way through universities and colleges.
Launching on smh.com.au, theage.com.au, brisbanetimes.com.au and watoday.com.au, the hub is filled with informative and practical content by the mastheads’ education experts, aimed at students transitioning from high school as well as current university students and people considering a return to study. Campus will help make sense of the tertiary sector as well as offering insights into what uni or college life is like and the opportunities available.
There will be articles to help make decisions about courses, learn how to set up for a career, and tips on the best ways to manage study load, finances and social life. Masthead writers will provide insights into their own tertiary experiences — what they did, what they wish they had done, and what they wouldn’t change.
Campus also features a unique interactive search tool, allowing readers to search courses at universities and colleges across New South Wales and ACT, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia. Users choose a state/territory, a type of course (eg arts, science, engineering etc), a possible selection rank such as 75-80, and can see what courses are on offer at a range of universities and colleges.
“Education is a topic that is of huge interest to our readers,” said Tory Maguire, Executive Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Brisbane Times and WAToday. “Campus is a natural extension of the success of our Year 12 results and ATAR coverage as we continue to deliver engaging and useful information to younger audiences.”
James McCluskie, Nine’s Client Director – Education & Workplace, Finance & Tech, added: “Campus provides our tertiary partners the ideal platform to engage throughout the year with their key target audiences across the entire Nine publishing portfolio. A full calendar of digital first reports across 2024 encompassing everything from Study Guides, Postgrad options, and University rankings housed within Campus will see the hub become the No1 destination for parents and students looking to discover the best tertiary options available.”
After 13 weeks of intense competition, renovations and drama, the most anticipated real estate showdown of the year – The Block auctions – yesterday smashed the all-time sale record.
The highly regarded House 4 was first under the hammer, and NSW high school sweethearts Steph and Gian went on to be crowned The Block 2023 winners when Australian Financial Review Rich Lister Adrian Portelli paid $5,000,000 for it. With their reserve set at $3,350,000, Steph and Gian take home a record-breaking $1,750,000 – making $1,650,000 over reserve plus $100,000 in prizemoney.
Next up was House 5 for Eliza and Liberty, the sisters from Victoria. Their auction had three bidders going toe to toe, but Adrian Portelli snapped up his second house of the day for $4,300,000. With their reserve set at $3,250,000, the sisters won an extraordinary $1,050,000.
House 3’s auction was slow out the gate, with South Australian couple Kristy and Brett seeing it go for $3,035,000, just $65,000 over their reserve of $2,970,000.
Nabbing his third house of the day, Adrian Portelli easily picked up House 1 for $3,100,000, the one renovated by WA couple Kyle and Leslie. Their reserve was set at $2,970,000, meaning they walked away with $130,000.
However, The Block’s fifth and most eclectic property, House 2, was a heartbreaker. With their reserve also set at $2,970,000, Leah and Ash’s home failed to attract a bid above $2,900,000 and was passed in.
As of 9.00pm Sunday, November 5, Leah and Ash’s home is still open to purchase offers.
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian said: “It’s an incredible feeling. We are so overwhelmed right now and can’t believe it. It was such a surreal day, and to end on such a high like this after all the hard work is amazing. We are so grateful that Adrian Portelli saw something in our house which we love so much. This will change our lives.
“We have no idea what we are going to do with the money yet. It’s going to clear our debts in Sydney. It’s going to set us up for whatever the next stage is. It’s just unbelievable.”
Host Scott Cam said: “It has been a rollercoaster of a day, with ups and downs. We had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We had houses just above the reserves, one passed in, and then $1.65 million for Steph and Gian and over a million for Eliza and Liberty.
“I am very happy for Steph and Gian, I think they played the game beautifully and they deserve it. They stuck to their guns, they held their heads high, and they built a beautiful home.”
After watching the auctions unfold, The Block Executive Producer, Julian Cress, said: “For someone to make a million-dollar bid when the bidding is already at four million, it was an astonishing day.”
He praised the contestants, saying: “The ratings for the show say it all. It’s due to the contestants that the audience stuck by the show for 12 weeks and the ratings kept going up and up and up. It’s because of these people and the fact they were compelling to watch.
“I think Kristy and Brett are two of the best contestants we have had on the show and I feel terrible for them that they had to go through that, after just watching their neighbours make a million plus. For them to make $65,000 is pretty heartbreaking.”
After scooping up three houses, Adrian Portelli said: “I had a great day. It was an entertaining day to be part off. Life has changed so much since last year on The Block.
“I think with the three houses I bought, there is only a small percentage of Aussies who can afford something of this value. To be able to buy them and potentially give someone else a chance to win it in my promotion means a lot.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Julian Cress said: “It’s such a milestone to be able to say you are making a 20th season of a show. Scott and I and the whole crew are really excited to get into it.
“We think we have found the perfect location for an anniversary special in Phillip Island. It’s going to be an amazing 20th season of The Block.”
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a grand total of $35,587,807.60 in winnings.
THE BLOCK 2023 – AUCTION RESULTS
Order
House
Reserve
Sold for / highest bid
Profit
1
House 4
$3.350 mil
$5.000 mil
$1,650,000
2
House 5
$3.250 mil
$4.300 mil
$1,050,000
3
House 3
$2.970 mil
$3.035 mil
$65,000
4
House 1
$2.970 mil
$3.100 mill
$130,000
5
House 2
$2.970 mil
PASSED IN
PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS 2003 – BONDI – Adam & Fiona, $256,000 2004 – MANLY – Jamie & Andrew, $178,000 2010 – VAUCLUSE – John & Neisha, $305,000 2011 – RICHMOND – Polly & Waz, $115,000 2012 – SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad & Lara, $606,000 2013 – ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil & Amity, $395,000 2013 – SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa & Lysandra, $395,000 2014 – FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve & Chantelle, $736,000 2014 – GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon & Simon, $435,000 2015 – TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren & Deanne, $935,000 2015 – THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean & Shay, $755,000 2016 – PORT MELBOURNE – Will & Karlie, $815,000 2017 – ELSTERNWICK – Josh & Elyse, $547,000 2018 – GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden & Sara, $645,000 2019 – OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess & Luke, $730,000 2020 – BRIGHTON – Jimmy & Tam, $1,066,000 2021 – FANS v FAVES (HAMPTON) – Mitch & Mark , $744,444 2022 – TREE CHANGE (GISBORNE) – Omar and Oz, $1,686,666.66
Have we got a text for you! As viewers fall in love with season five of Love Island Australia, sponsors are experiencing why it’s one of the hottest shows in the world for brands connecting with hard-to-reach younger audiences.
With 80% of last year’s audience watching Love Island Australia on 9Now, a digital first Total TV sponsorship package that mirrors consumption has resulted in brands experiencing first hand the benefits of a proposition combining the best of broadcast with the best of digital to deliver a full funnel solution.
As the sexy singles continue to flirt up a storm in the Mallorcan villa, a new era of brand sponsorship is providing clients – including Google Pixel 8 Pro and PepsiCo’s newest Sparkling Water brand bubly – with all of the usual brand building entitlements typically found in a broadcast sponsorship, such as premium placement, frequency management, exclusivity and integration, however, delivery is occurring majority on 9Now.
9Now Commercial Director, Tina Andrew, said: “Love Island Australia allows us to showcase a true digital first approach, with brands experiencing what TV sponsorship provides, but with the addition of premium slate online inventory, and the benefits of demo targeting, frequency capping of their campaigns reducing wastage and stretching value.”
“It’s a reverse approach based on the nature of the audience and is something we’ll be seeing more of in the future.”
With the Islanders being able to receive texts and keep their influencer dreams alive on Google Pixel 8 Pro mobile phones and charging stations, there is bubly brand and product integration, including bubly inspired games and a bubly-themed villa pool party. The sponsorship allows for extensive use of IP across the brands’ owned channels, and bespoke social content filmed with islanders shot in the villa.
Joanna Barnes, National Head of Investment, PHD, said: “The 9Now Love Island sponsorship provides a fully integrated solution for clients and a commercial model that is reflective of that. Great to see Nine advancing their digital offering and commercial partnerships as we accelerate ahead and make bold strides in the Total TV proposition.”
Nine’s director of content partnerships and client experience, Sarah Stewart, said: “Love Island is a unique format giving clients deep integration within a highly entertaining format that speaks to a very specific audience demographic, delivered at scale. Our viewers are highly engaged and savvy consumers, offering brands like bubly and Google Pixel a fantastic opportunity to deliver their message direct to these consumers.”
The advancement in digital first trading has resulted in the growth of digital enhancements, including addressability, dynamic creative optimisation, sequential messaging and conversion products, to leverage the data 9Now’s digital platform provides.
Love Island Australia is available for streaming on 9Now, dropping at 6pm AEDT every Monday to Thursday, with episodes screening on 9GO!
Nine has today announced that one of Australia’s most senior and respected sales leaders, Andrea Salmon, has been appointed as the Director of Sales – Melbourne.
She will have responsibility for Nine’s metro, regional, streaming and on-demand TV, radio, print and digital publishing teams. Together with Nine’s Powered she will help brands to create big ideas and deliver better business results leveraging Nine’s unique suite of assets and unrivalled scale.
Salmon has been one of Melbourne’s most senior media executives for over 20 years having previously been the Director of Sales in Melbourne for Southern Cross Austereo, and Bauer (ACP). Her most recent role was the Director of Sales – Radio at Southern Cross Austereo where she had responsibility for the national sales team.
“Nine has the most senior media sales team in Australia, we are obsessed with attracting the most innovative leaders in the market and there is no one better than Andrea. There isn’t a more perfect person in the country for this massive role,” said Michael Stephenson, Nine’s Chief Sales Officer.
Of her appointment, Salmon said: “The media industry is constantly evolving and innovating to deliver clients even better outcomes and Nine is at the forefront. I’m very excited to join the incredible team at Nine and to represent their unparalleled line up of media assets.”
Salmon will begin her new role on January 22. She takes on the position previously held by Sam Brennan, who has taken on a new role as Director of Strategic Partnerships – Retail Media, leading Nine’s Retail Media Partnership Program RTLX.
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade and Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
The 2024 edition of The Age Good Food Guide, featuring the best restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs in Victoria, launches today after sustainable fine-diner O.My was named Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year at a chef-studded awards ceremony held in Melbourne last night. Low-waste champion Jo Barrett also took out the esteemed Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year award.
For 43 years, the annual Age Good Food Guide has recognised the best restaurants and chefs, and this year’s Guide is no different, compiling more than 450 independent reviews by our team of critics.
Good Food is Australia’s most respected food and beverage title, and its coveted hats – from one to the pinnacle of three – are recognised as the industry gold standard. This year’s Guide includes 149 hats: three restaurants received three hats, 30 restaurants received two hats and 116 restaurants received one hat. The three hat winners were Brae, Minamishima, and Amaru, which scored a third hat this year for the first time.
Edited by Emma Breheny and Ellen Fraser, The Age Good Food Guide contains reviews undertaken anonymously by a team of respected critics. More than 500 restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes at a wide range of budgets were visited across the state over the course of the last eight months.
“We’re so thrilled to launch The Age Good Food Guide for 2024, and to celebrate with all the winners tonight. There’s a lot that’s fresh about this year’s Guide, including 35 new one-hats and more than 100 new restaurants. It’s impossible to squeeze in every venue, but these are the places we flock to for conversation, connection and – above all – good food.” said Fraser.
The glamorous awards ceremony was held at the Plaza Ballroom and supported by long-term co-presenting partners Vittoria Coffee and Oceania Cruises. Three hundred chefs, restaurateurs and industry legends from Victoria’s food and drink scene gathered as 14 awards, along with the hats, were handed out.
“There’s an exciting mix of winners this year, from community-focused places like Little Picket in Lorne’s bowls club, led by our Chef of the Year Jo Barrett, to multimillion dollar projects with history behind them, like Kin or Reine & La Rue. It’s so pleasing to see our restaurant scene in Victoria continuing to surprise and innovate, especially at a time when people talk of big restaurant groups homogenising what’s on offer,” said Breheny.
Among the new features in this year’s edition is the Critics’ Pick symbol, denoting venues our reviewers love and recommend regardless of their score.
“Some specialise in a single dish, others are cooking food you won’t find anywhere else, or have a remarkable backstory you need to know. All are essential, noteworthy and groundbreaking in their own ways,” says Fraser.
Soi 38 took out theinaugural Critics’ Pick of the Year award. “It serves some of the city’s most exciting Thai food in one of its most unusual locations, and in many ways epitomises the spirit of this award: a place that incites fanaticism, a place we return to,” said Good Food chief restaurant critic Besha Rodell.
Melbourne’s Reine & La Rue won the Aurum Poultry Co. New Restaurant of the Year award, Regional Restaurant of the Year went to Heathcote’s Chauncy and the Flinders + Co. New Regional Restaurant of the Year winner was Wahgunyah’s Kin.
Flower Drum’s Jason Lui was named the Vittoria Coffee Legend for his outstanding long-term contribution to the hospitality industry. Lui more or less grew up in Flower Drum after his father and executive chef, Anthony Lui, bought the restaurant in 2003. Lui worked his way from busboy to general manager, along the way becoming a familiar face to diners – and the custodian of an institution that’s renowned around the world.
The Smeg Young Chef of the Year award this year went to two winners, Cameron Tay-Yap from Amaru and MoVida’s Lily McGrath. Etta owner Hannah Green was awarded the Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award, while Dorian Guillon from Vue de Monde won Sommelier of the Year. Kazuki’s was recognised with Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year.
Cafe of the Year went to Chiaki, Bar Merenda took out Bar of the Year and the Innovator of the Year award, recognising a big thinker with bright ideas that better the community (and previously called the Food for Good award) went to Xavier Prime from Chooks at the Rooke.
The Age Good Food Guide includes more than 450 independently reviewed city and regional reviews as well as two new categories, Icons and Institutions – for venues delivering exceptional dining experiences decades in – and Top 20 Pubs. Melbourne’s top 20 cafes and top 20 bars, and best-of lists for dining in each Australian state and territory, can also be found within.
“While Good Food is known as the home of the hats, the Guide is much more than high-end restaurants. This year’s edition spans everything from long-adored institutions, pub eateries, suburban gems, no-frills pizza shops, hole-in-the-wall noodle joints, CBD bistros and impressive regional destinations. Importantly, it covers a broad range of budgets,” said Sarah Norris, Head of Food for The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald, Brisbane Times and WAToday.
The glossy 148-page Good Food Guide is the definitive guide to the state’s restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs, on sale tomorrow (Tuesday, October 31).
Guests at the awards were treated to a menu featuring produce from Aurum Poultry Co and Flinders + Co. Drinks were supplied by Vittoria Coffee, Archie Rose, Penfolds and Clover Hill.
The AgeGood Food Guide 2024 is available from newsagents, supermarkets and thestore.com.au for $14.95.
The Age Good Food Guide 2024 award winners: Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year:O.My Oceania Cruises Chef of the Year: Jo Barrett Aurum Poultry Co. New Restaurant of the Year: Reine & La Rue Regional Restaurant of the Year: Chauncy Flinders + Co. New Regional Restaurant of the Year: Kin Oceania Cruises Service Excellence Award: Hannah Green Smeg Young Chef of the Year: Cameron Tay-Yap (Amaru) and Lily McGrath (MoVida) Sommelier of the Year: Dorian Guillon, Vue de Monde Oceania Cruises Drinks List of the Year: Kazuki’s Vittoria Coffee Legend Award: Jason Lui, Flower Drum Critic’s Pick Award: Soi 38 Cafe of the Year: Chiaki Bar of the Year: Bar Merenda Innovator Award: Xavier Prime
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Nine Ad Manager, a groundbreaking tech platform utilising Artificial Intelligence that will give Australian small to medium size businesses the ability to buy postcode targeted video advertising on 9Now, is officially live, Nine today announces.
The product, allows Australia’s 2.5 million small to medium size businesses to build a targeted ad campaign with video creative generated by AI, is a game changer for businesses wanting to target a hyperlocal audience. It was first announced at Nine’s Upfront in September and has since created significant interest from SMBs.
It is the first time in Australia that SMBs can target audiences by postcode or interest using Nines 20 million signed in users in Australia’s most watched programming on 9Now including The Block, Married At First Sight, Lego Masters, 9News, 60 Minutes, the Australian Open and NRL.
Ben Campbell, Nine’s Director of Data and Digital Advertising Product, said: “The launch of Nine Ad Manager is a real milestone, opening up the possibility for Australian small and medium businesses to advertise on streaming TV for the very first time. Through the power of TV, SMBs can now turn their business into a household name within their local area.”
With the ability to precisely target audiences using age and sex demographics, household location down to individual postcodes,interests and behaviours or TV show and genre, SMBs can now reach their target audience with zero wastage. The barrier of small to medium businesses not having a TV commercial is also solved by Nine Ad Manager. Businesses can create an ad using AI simply by entering their website URL into a creative builder in the platform. The platform collates images, text, branding and colour palettes from the business’s website, creating a scripted video with AI-generated voice-over – all produced in a few minutes.
The platform has already proved transformational for one Sydney business, invited to trial Nine Ad Manager. Pacific Boating, based on Sydney’s northern beaches, have had a campaign appearing on 9Now for the last three weeks.
“We logged in, and selected a male skewed demographic, with our ads only appearing in ten postcodes – all north of the Spit Bridge (essentially the Northern Beaches region),” said Phillip Pitt, Managing Director of Pacific Boating. “We chose this area to increase awareness and membership sales for our fleet of Pittwater based vessels.
“Since going live, we’ve seen a 20% increase in the number of enquiries to our website, and a 10% increase in monthly sales, directly attributable to our $1000 investment. We will continue to use Nine Ad Manager throughout the year, and we will run different messaging for different geographic regions – something we have not been able to do in the past.”
Tim Rose, Director of Sales – Nine Plus said: “Most small businesses across Australia would love the opportunity to advertise on television, but until now, it has been cost prohibitive. SMBs want to see their brand appearing alongside Nine’s premium content, but often to a highly targeted, local audience – not an entire city. They have smaller budgets, and they need to be able to measure the effectiveness of every dollar spent. Nine Ad Manager was built to deliver against all of these objectives.”
For further information, please contact: Adrian Motte Senior Communications Manager – Trade & Publishing amotte@nine.com.au
Five charming 1950s homes that have undergone major renovations will be put to the ultimate test, The Block Grand Finale Auction, this Sunday, November 5, at 7 O’block on Channel 9 and 9Now.
But first, contestants will face the daunting task of impressing the public at the first “Domain Open For Inspections” in four years, tonight at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
The most controversial season of The Block ever has seen five Blockhead couples – Kyle and Leslie (WA), Leah and Ash (QLD), Kristy and Brett (SA), Steph and Gian (NSW), and Eliza and Liberty (VIC) – battling it out on and off-camera to take home the crown for their state.
After 12 gruelling weeks of blood, sweat and tears their houses are finished, and each one comes complete with a pool and secondary accommodation. Some boast hi-tech garage turning circles, while others have size on their side. Who will be victorious?
Ahead of the OFI’s tonight, host Scott Cam said: “I think it’s the only show in the world where fans can come and see a live TV set like at the Domain Open For Inspections, and we all loved seeing them in their thousands in Charming Street. I know it’s also great for our contestants as they get to see just how much their hard work is loved by the viewers.”
As for auction day, Scott says: “I get very nervous because as I have said since day one, I want every couple to have success after months of hard work building these homes.
“This year I think there are five beautiful and five very different homes which will appeal to unique buyers. I hope they do well at auction time as they all absolutely deserve it.”
Domain National Managing Editor, Alice Stolz, said after the inspections: “The Block yet again created five dream homes and there’s nothing better than seeing fans and potential buyers check them out for themselves. It really was the ultimate open for inspections time”.
As for the auctions, she says: “The property market has clawed its way back from last year’s downturn, with the national median just a whisker away from hitting a new price record.
“Hampton East is a sleepy suburb nestled into Melbourne’s beautiful bayside and is enjoying its moment in the sun. These Charming Street houses could not look sharper nor be more perfect for an idyllic family life.
“Whatever happens come auction day, I hope these renos have inspired many Aussies to take another look at those rather plain clinker-brick houses that they once might have thought were too dull. And also to think again about the simple life of suburbia. I’m telling you, it’s great out there.”
Executive Producer of The Block, Julian Cress, agreed. He said: “There was a great atmosphere at the Domain Open For Inspections this year. After four years of not being able to do them, it was terrific to have thousands of fans turn up to see these magnificent homes.
“Most importantly for me was seeing the joy it brought to the contestants to open their homes and get such positive feedback on all their hard work.”
Looking ahead to the nailbiting auction day, Julian said: “Hotly contested is an understatement. I can’t remember a series with such competitive contestants going into auction week. I have no doubt it will deliver a finale full of drama and an auction that will have everyone, including me, on the edge of our seats.
“It’s a volatile market right now and the only guarantee is that one team will win $100,000, but as usual, we will cross our fingers on auction day and hope for the best outcome for everyone.”
The highly anticipated auction order and reserve price reveals are set to be explosive, because the all-important order can make or break a team’s chance of taking home a $100,000 cash prize on top of their profits on auction day.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
