HGTV Cuts Shows and Reduces Salaries Amid Ratings Decline and Rising Production Costs

HGTV undergoes significant programming changes amid widespread show cancellations and salary reductions. Recently, several popular series—including "Bargain Block," "Izzy Does It," "Married to Real Estate," and "Farmhouse Fixer"—announced they will not return for new seasons. Even longstanding stars like Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa faced cancellations, with both "Christina on the Coast" and "The Flipping El Moussas" ending their runs. Fans expressed their disappointment across social media platforms, and some hosts revealed they were caught off guard by the network's decisions. For instance, Egypt Sherrod shared her surprise after returning from a family trip to find her show canceled. According to a recent Deadline report, one key factor behind these shifts is the unsustainability of high host salaries amid declining ratings and rising production costs. Some celebrities were earning up to $100,000 per episode—an expense now deemed unfeasible. A source indicated that negotiations involve significant pay cuts, reflecting HGTV’s move away from a talent-centric model. Insiders criticized the network for granting excessive creative control to stars, which ultimately impacted sh...