After years of criticism over soaring house prices and unrealistic renovations, Channel Nine is taking The Block in a radically new direction. The network has officially announced that the next season will see contestants battling it out to transform crumbling studio apartments — a dramatic shift designed to make the show “more relatable” to the average Australian struggling with the housing crisis.

The move comes on the heels of last night’s explosive Block finale, which sparked outrage among viewers who accused producers of being completely “out of touch” with modern Australia. The controversy centred around the reserve prices of the five Daylesford properties, which were set between $2.94 and $2.99 million — far beyond what most Aussies could ever dream of affording.

The Finale That Broke Fans’ Patience

While The Block has never been short of drama, this season’s finale struck a particularly raw nerve. Two couples, Emma and Ben, and Han and Can, walked away empty-handed after their properties failed to sell for a profit. For fans who have watched months of gruelling renovations, emotional breakdowns, and high-stakes challenges, the result felt like a slap in the face.

Meanwhile, the winners Britt and Taz managed to walk away with a $420,000 profit, plus the $100,000 prize money — a total windfall of $520,000. Runners-up Sonny and Alicia made $120,000, and Robby and Mat walked away with a modest $109,000.01.

But even these impressive numbers failed to soothe viewer frustration. Social media lit up with angry posts calling out what many described as “an elitist property fantasy.”

“How is this supposed to be relatable?” one viewer wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Nobody I know is buying a $3 million house in Daylesford.”

Another fan commented, “The reserve prices make the whole competition meaningless. The Block has lost touch with real Australians.”

The Adrian Portelli Controversy

Adding fuel to the fire is The Block’s ongoing association with property investor Adrian Portelli, who has become a polarising figure in the show’s modern history. Over the past two seasons, Portelli has spent nearly $32 million purchasing Block homes — even buying all five properties in last year’s finale.

While his big-money moves have kept the auctions exciting, many fans argue that his involvement has distorted the competition and contributed to inflated prices. Critics claim it’s become less about design and craftsmanship, and more about how much Portelli feels like spending on the night.

Interestingly, Portelli did not purchase any homes in this season’s finale, marking a notable shift that some fans hope signals a new era for the show.

A Radical Reset for 2026

Perhaps in direct response to the mounting criticism, Channel Nine has confirmed a major shake-up for The Block 2026. Instead of luxury mansions and sprawling countryside estates, contestants will face a far grittier challenge: renovating dilapidated studio apartments inside a single residential building.

According to early production leaks, the chosen site is rumoured to be located either in Frankston or Dandenong — two Melbourne suburbs known for their more affordable housing markets and urban renewal challenges. The building is expected to have been constructed sometime between 2003 and 2018, the notorious period that produced hundreds of cheaply built high-rises now plagued by defects, water leaks, and poor workmanship.

Producers believe this change will finally ground the show in the kind of real-world property problems everyday Australians face.

“Next season will be all about showing the reality of buying a property as a young couple in Australia,” said head producer Mimi Thoms in a statement. “No more multimillion-dollar houses in fancy suburbs. It’s shitbox studio season.”

The blunt comment has already gone viral, with fans praising the show’s willingness to poke fun at itself and reconnect with reality.

The End of Block Glitz?

For years, The Block has been known for its extravagant renovations, jaw-dropping budgets, and eye-watering profit margins. But the formula that once inspired audiences now seems to alienate them.

As property prices continue to skyrocket and younger generations struggle to enter the market, many viewers say they’ve grown disillusioned with the show’s glossy portrayal of home ownership.

“The irony is that The Block started as a show about ordinary Australians chasing the dream of a first home,” says pop culture analyst Kylie Turner. “Now it’s turned into something that feels more like Million Dollar Listing.”

The move to smaller, cheaper apartments could be exactly what the franchise needs to win back its audience — particularly younger Australians who are tired of being priced out of the housing market.

Why It Might Actually Work

Industry insiders say the “studio apartment season” could inject fresh energy into the long-running series. By forcing contestants to work within cramped spaces and modest budgets, producers may finally capture the creative tension and emotional authenticity that early seasons thrived on.

“Viewers love drama, but they also want realism,” Turner says. “Watching contestants try to make a 35-square-metre apartment liveable feels a lot more relevant than watching people fight over who gets the marble benchtop.”

There’s also talk of introducing a new scoring system that rewards practical design solutions and cost-effective renovations rather than sheer luxury. If confirmed, that would be a major departure from the show’s recent obsession with high-end finishes and celebrity judges praising “aspirational” interiors.

Reflecting a Broader Housing Crisis

The shift in tone reflects not just a creative decision, but a cultural one. With Australia facing one of the worst housing affordability crises in its history, The Block’s pivot to “everyday property reality” feels timely.

Over the past five years, housing prices have soared across major cities, while construction costs and interest rates have surged. For many Australians, the dream of owning a home has never felt more out of reach.

In that context, watching contestants transform rundown studio apartments might resonate far more deeply than another season of multi-million-dollar McMansions.

A Make-or-Break Moment

While the idea of “renovating real-life lemons” has already sparked excitement online, it also poses a major risk. The Block’s enduring appeal has always been its mix of design inspiration and high drama — and producers will need to find a way to balance gritty realism with entertaining television.

Still, the mood among fans appears optimistic. “Finally, something normal!” one commenter wrote on Facebook. “Let’s see them fix dodgy plumbing instead of choosing marble splashbacks.”

Another added, “If they really make it about struggling first-home buyers, I’ll actually watch again.”

Back to the Beginning

If The Block 2026 delivers what it promises — affordability, authenticity, and a return to everyday Aussie struggles — it could mark a powerful reboot for one of television’s most iconic franchises.

As producer Mimi Thoms summed it up bluntly:

“We’re not building mansions anymore. We’re fixing the kind of apartments most Aussies actually live in.”

Whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: next year’s season won’t be about dream homes — it’ll be about surviving the real world of Australian property.

More to come.