HGTV SET TO PREMIERE THREE NEW REAL ESTATE AND RENOVATION SERIES IN JANUARY

New York [For Immediate Release - December 6, 2013] HGTV will premiere three new series in the popular renovation and real estate genres this January: The Brian Boitano Project featuring Olympic gold medalist Brian Boitano as he renovates a family home in Italy; Beat the House, a fresh twist on the search for a new home with real estate experts JoJo Jones and Chris Kromer; and Vacation House for Free, "a find it, renovate it, rent it and vacation in it" series featuring Yard Crashers host Matt Blashaw.

"We've found that our viewers' appetite for real estate and renovation programming is virtually insatiable," said Steven Lerner, senior vice president, programing and development, HGTV and DIY Network. "But we're committed to showcasing inventive series that give them what they want, while inspiring them to examine how they think about finding, buying and renovating their own homes."

New HGTV Series Premiering in January include:

Vacation House for Free

Premieres Wednesday, January 1, at 5 p.m. ET/PT

Learn how to own a vacation home mortgage free when licensed contractor and real estate expert Matt Blashaw shows home seekers how to spot a hidden gem and transform it into a big time moneymaker. From selection to renovation, couples who have the help of Matt, the fearless home renovator, on their side will get the ultimate tutorial on how to get top dollar for their vacation rental part of the year and spend the rest of the year living in a Vacation House for Free. Whether it's a fixer-upper in wine country or by a gorgeous beach, the series shows that it's possible to own a vacation home in a dream destination.

Beat the House

Premieres on Tuesday, January 7, at 11 p.m. ET/PT and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT

Real estate experts JoJo Jones and Chris Kromer compete to convince couples who think they've already found their potential new home that there may be better buys available. JoJo and Chris are charged with finding for-sale homes that will surpass the home-buyers' wish lists and offer the best possible investment for the money. Couples tour the new finds and decide which agent "beat the house" they originally selected. Chris says his focus is always on the "smart investment." Before going into real estate, Chris worked as a financial consultant--a background that equipped him well for the complex deals that often characterize the volatile real estate market. JoJo says her approach is not about making the sale - her passion is making people happy. With her vivacious personality and outgoing style, JoJo says she believes her heartfelt personality and contagious laugh can win over any client.

The Brian Boitano Project

Premieres on Thursday, January 16, at 11 p.m. ET/PT and 11:30 p.m. ET/PT

Olympic gold medalist, figure skater Brian Boitano, travels to Favale di Malvaro in northern Italy to bring his old family home back to life. The 200-year-old house - that Brian learned he inherited while on an Italian vacation - is in major disrepair with no electricity or plumbing and is far from being his dream vacation home. Once the demolition is complete, Brian and his contractor Enzo make the necessary structural repairs and transform the interior, including building a new kitchen and a gorgeous banquette area perfect for big family breakfasts. By repurposing family items found in the house, searching for inexpensive flea-market finds and undertaking innovative home-decorating projects, Brian experiences the amazing journey of renovating an old villa, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, into a warm and welcoming home. "I wanted to create a comfortable, relaxed look in the house," said Brian. "Whenever my friends and relatives come to visit, I want them to feel at home."

ABOUT HGTV

America's leading home and lifestyle brand, HGTV features a top-rated cable network that is distributed to more than 98 million U.S. households and the HGTV website, HGTV.com, the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination that attracts an average of four million unique visitors per month. The brand also includes the HGTV HOME(TM) consumer products line which showcases exclusive collections of paint, flooring, lighting, furniture, plants, fabrics and other home-oriented products. For more information on HGTV HOME branded products and to find a retailer, go to www.hgtvhome.com. In partnership with Hearst Magazines, the HGTV Magazine, a home and lifestyle publication, is currently available on newsstands. Viewers can become fans of HGTV and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., HGTV is wholly owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI).