MAKING HISTORY:THE BLOCK, Australian renovation reality TV sensation celebrates 20 years
- 4 Apr 2024
The Block's 20th anniversary is a an incredible milestone, we take a look back on The Block over the past 20 years and catch up with past contestants along the way.
The Block celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024, pictured is The Block Co-creators David Barbour and Julian Cress. Also pictured is current Executive Producer, Justin Sturzaker (R) alongside current host Scott Cam. This really is one big happy family.
The Block: A Renovation Reality Sensation
The Block is an Australian reality television show focused on home renovation challenges. The show has been captivating audiences for 20 seasons, showcasing incredible transformations and high-stakes drama. Each season features couples who compete to renovate houses or apartments, with the ultimate goal of selling them at auction for the highest profit.
The Block has been a succesful launch pad for many, now famous, faces. The Block Family still keeps growing 20 years on.
Celebrating the 20th Anniversary
The Block's 20th anniversary is a major milestone, marking two decades of inspiring home transformations and tense competition. To celebrate, the show is likely planning special events, perhaps even bringing back iconic contestants or revisiting memorable renovations.
It was a history making moment for TV creatives Julian Cress and David Barbour, and a concept that also made perfect sense to the nation, as the pair’s vision was brought to life on our screens.
In June 2003, Cress and Barbour’s new reality TV series The Block made its premiere in Australian households.
Featuring four couples competing against each other to renovate a derelict Bondi apartment block – and then sell their apartments at auction for the highest price – The Block Season One was hosted by Jamie Durie and immediately engaged the viewing public.
“At that time, it was the birth of reality television as we know it now,” says Cress, who is still the show’s executive producer.
Memorable Contestants and Winners
Over its rich history, The Block has introduced Australia to talented and sometimes controversial contestants. Here are a few standout winners and their seasons:
- Season 1 (2003): Adam and Fiona. Prize: $256,000
- Season 9 (2012): Brad and Lara. Prize: $606,000
- Season 13 (2013): Alisa and Lysandra. Prize: $395,000
- Season 17 (2021): Mitch and Mark. Prize: $744,444
- Season 18 (2022): Omar and Oz. Prize: $1,686,666
Pictured is The Block Season One cast of 2003, Pictured from left to right are winners Adam and Fiona, judge John McGrath and host, Jame Durie.
Pictured top left The Block winners from season one, Adam and Fiona. Alisa and Lysandra, centre and Omar and Oz, top right, Mitch and Mark, bottom left, Brad and Lara, bottom right.
The Block's Impact
The Block has not only entertained viewers but also influenced home design trends in Australia. Its popularity has fueled a passion for renovation and inspired countless Australians to tackle their own home improvement projects.
Co-founder of The Block Shop, Emma Garland took on her own Block inspired renovation, turning her red brick home into a Hamptons Haven. She shares her top tips with us here.
Block royalty Andy and Deb have had continued success with their own renovations. Deb shared with us her before and afters of their DNA of Design house 1 here.
The Block Inside Info
As we head into the 20th Anniversary season we intend on giving The Block Fans a look into the phenomenon. First up we chat with creator of The Block and Executive Producer David Barbour...
TWENTY years ago when Series One kicked off in Bondi, life on The Block looked very different.
Our production office doubled as our edit facility with just two editors.
Footage wrangling was less complicated, you simply walked the five minutes down the hill to the location, gather up all the tapes - yes tapes - and walk back up to the production office where the editors would set about ingesting it into the Avid.
Julian and I were the two post producers and we delivered thirteen hours of television in 2003.
Today the location is a one hour flight and two hours drive from post.
The footage is shot on disc and then sent up the line to arrive at post where 18 assistants work around the clock ingesting the gold sent from the field.
Then 3 supervising producers, 12 post producers, 12 editors, 4 assembly editors, 4 junior producers, 2 online teams, a sponsor co-ord, finishing producer, music clearance person, graphics team, musician and of course the series post producer get to work.
That brings the total of amazingly creative and talented people on the post team to around 72 and we deliver 61 hours of television…and I am 1750% positive that I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Pictured left to right, Justin Sturzaker, The Block Executive Producer, Sarah Armstrong, The Block Shop Co-Founder, Julian Cress, The Block Executive Producer and David Barbour Co-Creator.
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