The Biggest and Best Shows on HGTV Right Now All Have One Thing in Common — and It’s Not the Home Renovation

HGTV fans are feeling the sting of a dramatic shake-up, with the network recently canceling four beloved shows: Bargain Block, Married to Real Estate, Farmhouse Fixer, and Izzy Does It (read more about the cancellations). This sudden purge from the lineup has sparked concern among viewers and whispers about just where HGTV is heading next. The shock isn’t just about favorite hosts leaving the airwaves, but about what the replacement trend seems to be: swapping home renovation experts for major Hollywood personalities.

Celebrity Power Takes Over HGTV

This summer marks a noticeable pivot: three of HGTV’s major returning series are centered around celebrities. Celebrity IOU continues to top ratings as Hollywood stars team up with fan favorites Drew and Jonathan Scott to surprise loved ones with dazzling home makeovers. Retta, known best for her comedic talents, is back with Ugliest House in America, providing a fresh and funny spin as she roasts the wildest homes across the country. Meanwhile, the quirky social media sensation Zillow Gone Wild bets on Jack McBrayer’s humor to translate viral real estate oddities into television gold.

These shows aren’t just relying on home design—they’re using personality and celebrity to hook audiences. As the network axes core renovation staples, it’s increasingly clear: HGTV’s hottest properties owe their success to star power, not just open-concept kitchens.

Are Celebrities the New Blueprint for HGTV?

The rest of 2025 looks set to ride out on the coattails of returning favorites like Home Town, Help! I Wrecked My House, and 100 Day Dream Home. Yet, the buzz is around Alison Victoria’s new Sin City Rehab, shifting the usual plotline to a glitzy new locale. The network appears to believe that familiar personalities — especially those with celebrity cachet — will keep eyeballs glued to the screen (see full list of HGTV shows coming back in 2025).

But the recent wave of comedy-infused, celeb-led house tours suggests viewers may want more than just flooring makeovers and shiplap. Is the network thinking it’s easier and more economical to invest in short-run celebrity appearances rather than months-long shooting with design pros? Or has the audience just learned all the flipping tips they need? Regardless, with the loss of established design experts, sitcom stars are quickly becoming the new faces of HGTV.

HGTV’s Exit Strategy: Not All Smooth

The abrupt cancellations have hit especially hard among cast members, many of whom belong to minority groups, further fueling speculation among fans about the motive behind HGTV’s new direction. When Jonathan Knight (of Farmhouse Fixer) broke the news on Instagram, he said:

“I am sad to say HGTV has decided not to move forward with another season. While I’m still processing the reasons that led to their decision, Kristina and I are so grateful for all your support over the past 3 seasons.”

Keith Bynum of Bargain Block was even more forthright in his social media post:

“Everyone always told us TV is a fickle world, and they are very right. TV is full of a lot of great people but it’s also full of some of the worst people I’ve ever encountered.”

Egypt Sherrod of Married to Real Estate echoed the sadness, sharing a thankful but bittersweet message:

“While the chain of events leading up to this is disheartening, we are deeply grateful.”

The almost simultaneous removal of shows led by underrepresented voices — from queer households to Black and Latino hosts — hasn’t gone unnoticed, and many longtime viewers are questioning what kind of inclusivity future HGTV will offer.

What Comes Next?

As the landscape changes, speculation abounds about whether underdog series might find new life on other networks, or whether HGTV will double down on its celebrity push. For now, Celebrity IOU remains available for streaming on Max if you want a taste of HGTV’s new favorite formula. And while the network is focused on bringing more famous faces to foreground, fans are left hoping their favorite renovators might turn up elsewhere — or perhaps in a long-overdue revival (read industry insights into these shakeups).

For more updates on TV’s shifting landscape and the future of your favorite shows, follow HGTV’s latest news and catch reactions from stars like Ty Pennington who weighed in on the latest cancellations (Ty Pennington on the end of Bargain Block).

Note: All streaming recommendations and cancellations are based on current network and social media announcements as of July 2025.