From Selling Sunset to Luxe Listings Sydney, there are plenty of international and local property-focused shows that we love to binge. So, it's no surprise that The Block, which combines renovations with real estate, is still in high demand amongst viewers and returning for its 19th season in 2023.
A new group of Blockheads will be hitting the tools to revamp their allocated Aussie properties over a couple of months before their work is put under the hammer on auction day.
There are some special firsts this time around, as contestants will be provided with the full renovation schedule ahead of time. The stakes will also be higher than ever during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, as the cast will see all finished designs of the houses on the first day, and then one team will get to pick the house of their choice first. They will also receive their entire budgets up front.
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If you're as excited as us, here's the lowdown on everything we know about The Block 2023.
Where Is It Filmed?
The Block 2023 will return to Melbourne for filming, where a new batch of contestants will build five new family homes in the Victorian capital.
Channel 9 has announced that the five houses designed and built in the 1950s are located on Charming Street in the suburb of Hampton East. According to realestate.com.au, the network has spent $14.3m on the five brick homes that are over 70 years old.
It comes after Channel 9 shifted its focus from the city to the country in 2022, with filming having taken place in Gisborne South in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, 40 minutes from Melbourne.
Who Is In The Block 2023 Cast?
There will be 10 contestants on The Block in 2023 — five pairs of two. While more often than not they are couples, we've also seen friends, siblings and parent/children duos compete on the renovation show.
Kyle & Leslie Cottone (Firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA)
Steph & Gian Ottavio (Architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW)
Eliza & Liberty Paschk (Personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC)
Leah & Ash Milton (First aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD)
Kristy & Brett Beames (Project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA)
Who Are The Hosts?
Channel 9 has confirmed that Gold Logie winner Scott Cam will be hosting The Block in 2023. The 59-year-old will most likely be joined by regular co-host Shelley Craft, but we're still waiting for confirmation on this.
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Who Are The Judges?
The Block judges in 2022 were Shaynna Blaze, Neale Whitaker and Darren Palmer. In 2023, all three will return to the show, with the addition of real estate expert Marty Fox.
Who Are The Foremen?
Foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly are usually on-site to chat to the contestants and keep them on their toes throughout the building process. This year fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja will also be joining them.
What Is The Air Date?
Season 19 of The Block premieres on Sunday, August 6 on Channel 9 and 9Now. This means it will be going up against rival network Channel 7's The Voice, which premieres on the same night.
What Is The Prize?
The winner of The Block usually receives $100,000 in prize money, along with whatever profit the couples' homes make on auction day. On The Block: Tree Change in 2022, winners Omar and Oz sold their property for $5,666,666.66 and made a profit of $1,586,666.66. Adding on the $100k winner's prize money from Channel 9, the friends from western Sydney took home a collective $1,686,666.66.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, The Block has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prize money.
Remember to keep checking back here as we continue updating the behind-the-scenes details about the 2023 season of The Block.
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