Property shows have long been an essential part of many broadcasters’ schedules. They’re ubiquitous in both daytime and peak time and have made celebrities of presenters such as the seriously posh Kirstie Allsopp and her charming Location, Location, Location co-host, Phil Spencer.
An RTS panel predicted that in future audiences were likely to see more property programmes encouraging homeowners to improve their existing homes than series that help people to move home.
“Perhaps it’s less about how to make money from your property than actually to find a home you want to live in for in the long term,” said Kitty Walshe, co-managing director of Remarkable, the production company responsible for such shows as Your Home Made Perfect, The House that £100k Built and Restoration Home.
Property is a very British obsession and there have been a multitude of hugely successful TV formats. From selling houses, buying houses, building houses, moving to the country, moving to the sea, downsizing, upsizing … the list goes on and our appetite does not seem to wane. So why do we love property shows? How have they changed as society (and the housing market) have changed, what are the key ingredients to a successful property show and where will the format go from here?
