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GTV, a popular real estate-centric television network, has been left reeling after the sudden cancellation of four shows. The hosts of "Bargain Block," "Married to Real Estate," "Farmhouse Fixer," and "Izzy Does It" announced their show's demise on social media, leaving fans in an uproar. Many took to social media to express their frustration and even threatened to boycott the network.
The cancellation raises questions about the future of HGTV's programming. While some speculate that lagging ratings were to blame, analysis suggests otherwise. "Bargain Block," for example, had a respectable 731,000 viewers for its most recent episode, outperforming other shows like "Divided by Design" and "Fix My Frankenhouse." Meanwhile, "Farmhouse Fixer" drew in an impressive 951,000 viewers.
Television expert Joe Saltzman suggests that HGTV's decision to trim down its slate may be a deliberate attempt to focus on quality over quantity. He notes that networks often put too many shows on the air, leading to viewer fatigue. "There is a great audience for these home improvement and cooking shows, but glut is glut," he says.
However, HGTV's popularity has waned in recent years, with viewership declining steadily since 2021. In 2024, primetime programming averaged just 614,000 viewers, down from 1,243,000 in 2021. A TV insider claims that Warner Bros. Discovery, HGTV's parent company, will be taking a hard look at the reasons behind this decline and taking drastic action to reverse it.
The rise of real estate-centric programming on streaming giants like Netflix and HBO Max may also be contributing to HGTV's struggles. While Netflix focuses on high-end homebuying, HBO has partnered with former HGTV stars Chip and Joanna Gaines for their Magnolia Network. The creation of Magnolia has drawn viewers away from HGTV, according to some.
The proliferation of home improvement influencers on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram may also be a factor in HGTV's declining ratings. While the network attempted to tap into this trend with "Home in a Heartbeat," the show was short-lived due to its grueling production schedule.
