The Block AXED in sad ‘restructure’ announcement

The Block AXED in sad ‘restructure’ announcement

Fans of The Block NZ have been left to select up the items after the favored residence renovation present was axed by Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ.

Following its postponement in 2023 attributable to poor market circumstances, the choice to close the door on the once-thriving present got here as a part of a disappointing restructure.

Warner Bros. International Television Production NZ co-managing director Mike Molloy instructed Daily Mail the corporate is now not making native exhibits that require full funding.

“We’re living in very tough times with the cut backs to the NZ Local production market as the networks no longer fund local shows,” he mentioned.

“This is having a devastating impact on hundreds if not thousands of workers, and a lot will be lost to the industry — which is frustrating and sad as we’ve built up an amazingly talented resource in this country.

The Block NZ hosts Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson.
Camera IconThe Block NZ hosts Mark Richardson and Shelley Ferguson. Credit: The Block NZ

Amid the cancellation, four properties that were in the final stages of construction for the 2024 season based in Auckland’s North Shore will be finished and sold.

A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Discovery told Newshub that sponsors were made aware the show could be scrapped at any moment.

“When we announced our business restructure earlier this year, we indicated that WBD would no longer make fully funded local shows, which includes The Block NZ.

“Existing sponsors had been told that we would contact them if the show was going ahead, and they would have first right of renewal.”

The present initially knowledgeable followers by way of Facebook in November 2022 that unexpected modifications had been on the way in which.

One particular person mentioned on the time, “the show is well and truly past it’s use by date,” whereas one other one other cited the all-terrain successes throughout the pond, arguing, “Well if they can venture afield in Australia why don’t you guys do that here”.

An indicator the present’s days had been numbered was the record-low revenue achieved by the 2023 profitable workforce.

A spotlight for followers has at all times been the delight on the {couples}’ faces when their properties promote, but months of laborious work yielded little monetary achieve for winners Chloe Hes and Ben Speedy.

The Block NZ 2022 winners Chloe and Ben.
Camera IconThe Block NZ 2022 winners Chloe and Ben. Credit: The Block NZ

Difficult market circumstances noticed the victorious contestants earn a bit greater than $3000 revenue — a consequence which led producers to postpone the present final 12 months.

Closer to residence, rumours in 2022 that The Block Australia was experiencing related struggles had been silenced when the community cited its report rankings as proof of affluent circumstances.

To have a good time its twentieth anniversary later this 12 months, the Aussie iteration — headed by long-time host Scott Cam — is reportedly set for a particular version positioned on Philip Island.

Scott Cam is long-time host of The Block Australia.
Camera IconScott Cam is long-time host of The Block Australia. Credit: The Block Australia

Source: www.perthnow.com.au