Welcome to the block!

Four numbered zinc doors welcome four unsuspecting couples to a newly developed, but half-finished construction site in North Johannesburg. Stepping out of four luxury vehicles and onto a gravel-ridden pathway, they move into their new homes in shock. Their apartments are shells with no windows... no floors... no ceilings and only one working toilet. It's the start of the much-talked-about new M-Net reality series, The Block, brought to you by FNB.

The series kicked off on Sunday 5th September during Open Time at 18H00.  The Block showcases the comings-in, goings-out and getting-up-to's of four very different couples as they demonstrate their DIY and life skills, in a first in entertainment television in South Africa.

Whittled down from over 5000 couple applications nationwide, Camilla McArdle (30) and Mark McArdle (33), Tamara Joubert (23) and Angus Cameron (28), Keit Gorekwang (23) and Lesiba Langa (25) and Gary-Velden Bekker (37) and Paolo Benetti-Longhini (33) have opted to put themselves and their relationships to the test in a 12-week renovation marathon.

Of the choice of contestants, Gavin Wratten (M-Net Executive Producer) commented, "We could not have asked for a more diverse and entertaining mix of people. Put eight very different personalities in one Block, add some DIY pressure and you get a captivating show. This is great TV and something we can all relate to, because we have all tried to paint a wall or hang a picture while our partners stand back and give advice."

Over a period of 12 weeks, the four couples will have to produce four apartments, fully renovated, furnished and decorated, which will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at a lively auction in November. With equal-sized budgets of R300 000 and similar apartments, they have just three months to out-design, out-decorate, out-renovate and out-market each other.

And as if renovating a property isn't stressful enough, these couples will be working as competitors and ... neighbours. On top of that, they'll have to continue with their normal daily lives; juggling work, family and social commitments against their determination to create the most attractive property for sale on The Block.

And to make sure that the rules of the Block are adhered to, presenter Ashley Taylor will keep watch, the half a million rand grand prize always kept top of mind.

Originally conceptualised in Australia, South African television viewers will, for the first time, be introduced to a local version of this do-it-yourself reality concept of television entertainment, which has taken the world by storm.

"M-Net is proud to be the first to introduce South African viewers to this latest innovative and entertaining genre of unscripted TV. The production is edgy, dramatic, visually dynamic and involves a diverse mix of personalities, which will ensure an engaging show," assures Carl Fischer: M-Net Head of Productions.

The Block comes to your television screens exclusively via M-Net and DStv. The show is broadcast weekdays during M-Net Open Time at 18H30 and Sundays from 18H00 to 19H00. An extended one-hour customised show, The Block Extra, will be broadcast daily on DStv's Channel 37 after the repeat of the M-Net show, with an interactive service activated when pressing 'OK'. The Block Extra will feature an omnibus of the week's shows every Saturday starting at 18H00.

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