Ellen’s Design Challenge makes UAE debut

We get the scoop on TV host Ellen DeGeneres’s design show that is to screen on lifestyle channel HGTV.

Popular television host Ellen DeGenres. Courtesy HGTV

Having made its UAE debut on November 1, HGTV, the American lifestyle channel dedicated to all things home, design and property related, will be broadcasting the first episode of Ellen's Design Challenge, hosted by TV personality Ellen DeGeneres, on Saturday, November 5.

The series invites six furniture designers to compete in various challenges, centred around the design and build of pieces of ­furniture in a 24-hour period.

DeGeneres, who is also the ­executive producer of the series, is joined by a panel of expert judges, who must each week eliminate one contestant until a winner is left.

“I realised when I had my name on the show that I could change the rules, plus, I love furniture and I love television, so to put furniture on television is a win-win,” says DeGeneres. “I’m so excited about this show because I love finding really special pieces of furniture. I’m most excited about seeing the furniture and then stealing it for my home.”

Ranked among the top seven cable networks in the United States, HGTV, which already broadcasts in more than 40 countries, can be accessed in the UAE through the subscription-only BeIN, which is available through the Top Entertainment, Complete, Elite and Elite DUO packages.

On the HGTV agenda are shows such as Brother vs Brother and Listed Sisters, as well as Fixer Upper and Flip or Flop. The home and lifestyle channel will show a range of DIY programmes, explore the latest in design trends and share expert home improvement advice to inspire viewers to transform their own homes.

“Everyone is always on the lookout to recreate a homely feeling, whether it’s a simple DIY paint job, or understanding the property market to secure your next home, and this is definitely the case in the Mena region where many people have several property investments around the world. We’re very excited to bring our top programmes to the region and we’re confident they will be as popular here as they have proved to be in other international markets,” says Phillip Luff, managing director, UK & EMEA of Scripps Networks Interactive, the media company that owns HGTV.

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