HGTV Launches Nationwide Search for the Next Design Star

HGTV Launches Nationwide Search for the Next Design Star

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Anyone who is bursting with decor and design ideas and has a burning desire to be on TV will finally have the chance to make the passion for paint and romance with rooms pay off. HGTV, the premier home and lifestyle network with shows featuring popular hosts/designers such as Kenneth Brown (reDesign), Karen McAloon (Design Remix) and Candice Olson (Divine Design), has launched a nationwide search for the next great design star. Beginning Monday, October 24 through Saturday, December 3, HGTV will accept applications from professional, novice and wannabe designers who think they have the ideas, instincts and individuality to host their own show on HGTV. The application can be found on HGTV.com.

As a second pillar of the Design Star search, homeowners who have dreamed of enhancing a room in their home will have a chance to get in on the action. Beginning Monday, December 5th through Friday, January 14th 2006, HGTV will accept applications from homeowners who have a room that is in dire need of a redo.

During February and March 2006, HGTV viewers will vote on the profiles of 10 designer finalists and 10 room finalists on HGTV.com, narrowing the pool of candidates for each group to five. At that point, viewers will vote again to "match up" each the five designer finalists with the five homeowner finalists based on who they think is the best designer for a particular room's challenge. In August 2006, viewers can then sit back and watch the fun when HGTV airs Design Star, a special five-part series showcasing the selected designers as they makeover the rooms of the lucky homeowners. After a final viewer vote, one designer will be selected to host their very own 13-part series on HGTV to premiere January 2007.

"The Design Star concept has been in development for quite some time because we wanted to be sure it was an idea that would really engage all our viewers and inspire them to participate," said Michael Dingley, senior vice president, programming and content strategy, HGTV. "This is an ideal concept for HGTV because any viewer can get involved, whether as a potential designer or as a potential candidate for a makeover in their own home. Design Star is reflective of the spirit of the network and our goal to offer a variety of entertaining programming that inspires viewers with great ideas for their homes."

Viewers can get more information about the Design Star search by visiting http://www.hgtv.com/.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 89 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV.com is the nation's leading online home and garden destination that attracts an average of 4.4 million unique visitors per month. HGTV owns 33 percent of HGTV Canada and provides much of the Canadian network's daily programming.

The network's branded programming also can be seen in 27 other countries and its selected programming is available to service men and women on board Navy ships and through American Forces Radio & Television Service (AFRTS) which services more than 1,000 outlets in over 175 countries.

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York, HGTV is wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), which also operates Food Network, DIY - Do It Yourself Network, Fine Living, Great American Country and electronic retailer Shop At Home Network.

Source: HGTV

CONTACT: Emily C. Yarborough of HGTV, +1-865-560-4643, or eyarborough@hgtv.com; or Eileen Campion of Dera, Roslan & Campion Public Relations, +1-212-966-4600, or Eileen@derapr.com

Web site: http://www.hgtv.com/

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