It was 14 years ago that producers were given an actual blank cheque by Kerry Packer to get the first season of The Block rolling.

Two million dollars later, Channel 9 had the show’s first property and the beginnings of a massive reality show ratings success.

The same producers can’t believe ( but of course are thrilled) that the show is entering its 12th season – with the new batch of contestants revealed at the official launch party at The Block headquarters
Growing from an original crew of 9, there are now 140 people who work on the renovation program.

And referencing cooking shows such as Masterchef and MKR, The Block producers say they are pleased to leave behind renovated buildings and not ‘just a pile of dirty dishes’.

Entertainment reporter Donna Demaio spoke to four of the new contestants (from Melbourne and Geelong) at the Port Melbourne site (a former soap manufacturing plant that had been taken over by squatters). She discovered there are a lot of tears when it comes to reality TV

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