HGTV has lost its spark, according to an army of fed-up fans—and the numbers don’t lie. In a 2024 Nielsen report, HGTV was ranked the 13th most-watched network, resulting in an 18 percent decline in viewership from the year prior. In a series of Reddit threads, fans are insisting that HGTV has "gone downhill and is abysmal" after failing to update its programming and invest in new talent. Some are even boycotting the network for its rival, Magnolia Network.
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HGTV fans want new programming with fresh talent.
It doesn’t take an OG fan to decipher that HGTV has its favorites. House Hunters, which premiered in 1999, is the network’s longest-running show. There are six spin-offs under the Property Brothers franchise, while Tarek El Moussa and Christina Hall of Flip or Flop fame have gone on to have solo and joint spin-offs. The ratings speak for themselves; however, fans are getting fatigued.
“Why does HGTV keep canceling really good shows like Desert Flippers, Houses With History, and Vacation House Rules but keeps only Christina and the Property Brothers?” asked someone in the Reddit thread “HGTV keeps canceling quality shows for [expletive] drama.”
A second person agreed: “It’s like they’ve decided all they need to do for programming is just endless repeats of 5 shows.”
Fans are also begging for HGTV to reinvent the wheel when it comes to show ideas and fresh talent. “Are they still having new shows? Every time I look it’s House Hunters or My Lottery Dream Home. I gave up,” reads another comment.
And some wouldn’t be upset if HGTV cut ties with some of its longtime hosts. “Why does Christina keep getting new shows?” one person asked, to which another responded, “She essentially does the very same thing every time.”
“Too much Property Brothers for sure,” another added.RELATED: HGTV Viewers Blast "Absolutely Disgusting" Behavior on "House Hunters."
Fans complain that the network lacks professional talent.
“I’ve said it before—several times—I miss when they actually showed how to decorate. Like there's a ‘science’ to it,” wrote a frustrated Reddit user, who no longer finds the network educational. “[It’s] just a quick montage of folks chopping pillows and turning a plant 2 degrees to the right.”
“There aren't any real interior designers left (maybe Hillary [Farr]). Most are spouses of a contractor or are in real estate as agents. The houses look the same, the problems are the same,” wrote someone else.
In a second HGTV Reddit thread, one person said, “Hgtv isn't really looking for real designers, they are looking for someone who will stay inside the hgtv lines.”
“They don't seem to feature people who actually design for a living,” per another fan.
Several HGTV fans believe the network has completely lost the plot. “Yeah, they barely have any H and they don't have any G on the Home and Garden TV network these days,” quipped one viewer.
“HGTV shows are more about the stars of the shows than the subject,” one comment reads.
RELATED: HGTV Fans Are Calling Chip and Joanna Gaines "So Annoying" in New Show.
Viewers are abandoning HGTV for Magnolia Network.
Fixer Upper sweethearts Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines left HGTV to launch their own cable network, Magnolia Network, in 2021. The platform includes original content from the husband-wife duo as well as a variety of home renovation, cooking, and gardening shows. In many ways, Magnolia Network is the new and improved HGTV that many fans have been asking for.
“I only watch Magnolia now,” shared one Redditor.
“I switched to Magnolia. I’m tired of the gimmicky drama on hgtv and no real design,” wrote another, adding that “HGTV has gone completely downhill.”
“They have some quality shows with quality hosts. Basically the opposite of all of Christina's shows,” reads another comment about Magnolia Network.
