"The Block New Zealand," a popular home renovation show, has been indefinitely canceled as part of a restructuring initiative by Warner Bros. Discovery ANZ. The company has decided to discontinue producing fully-funded local shows in New Zealand. This decision aligns with reductions in funding for local productions by networks within the country.
The show's most recent season aired in 2022, with the winning couple, Chloe Hes and Ben Speedy, earning a notably low profit of just NZ$4,000 at the auction. Market conditions previously led to the postponement of the 2023 edition, and now, with the latest announcement, the show is canceled. Consequently, four nearly completed properties on Auckland's North Shore in Brown's Bay, initially intended for the 2024 season, are expected to be sold.
This cancellation is part of broader cutbacks in the New Zealand local production market which are impacting many workers in the industry. The Australian version of The Block continues to perform well, celebrating its 20th anniversary and preparing for a new season on Phillip Island.