HGTV’s Top-Rated Show: House Hunters
(Note: This post was originally publshed as one of our “guessing games.”)
Now that we’ve discussed our favorite home shows, does anyone know which one delivers the highest ratings for HGTV?
Here are your three clues:
1. The long-time host has acted in various TV dramas and even had a small role in one of my favorite flicks, “Housesitter.”
2. Star Jones guest-hosted for five episodes in NYC.
3. It films episodes all over the world for an “international version” of the show.
It’s “House Hunters!”
The first episode of “House Hunters” aired in 2000, and within a couple of years it was HGTV’s hottest show. Until recently, they didn’t tell viewers how much the featured houses cost. Viewers were simply given a vague idea of the buyer’s price range. As soon as “House Hunters” started revealing the prices of the homes in 2005, the ratings rose even higher. Producers began creating entire shows built around the concept of house prices, such as “National Open House” and “What You Get for the Money.”
Host Suzanne Whang is an actress who played Moseby’s secretary in “Housesitter” and has had parts in “Nip/Tuck,” “Brothers and Sisters, and “Boston Legal.”
When Star Jones guest-hosted for five episodes in NYC, the series pulled its highest ratings ever.
“House Hunters” is so popular that both it and “House Hunters International” can be seen almost every day of the week on HGTV.
Did anyone guess correctly? For those of you who keep their televisions glued to HGTV, I bet this was a piece of cake!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Did you know you can watch “House Hunter” in ten minutes if you DVR it and fast forward through commercials? No kidding!
January 27th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Ha! I bet you’re right, Tracey. I do that with shows like “Designed to Sell” because I basically just want to see the “before” and “after”–not the work they do in-between, and they do fly by.
I think it’s interesting that “House Hunters” is supposed to be HGTV’s most popular show, and yet in our poll here no one has cast a single vote for it as their favorite yet. Go figure.
January 27th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Just a note: the “What’s your favorite home show?” poll is at the end of the “Trading Spaces” post, not this one.
March 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
I love House Hunters- I don’t really know why- maybe it’s because I love houses.
I’ve seen Suzanne Whang on Las Vegas too- as a crazy nail tech or hair dresser in the hotel. She was very funny and very convincing. I haven’t seen her in the other things.
March 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Amy–I’ve been enjoying all of your comments today. I love House Hunters, too. It’s totally addictive. I think part of the fun is trying to figure out the buyer’s personality and figuring out which house they’ll choose. -Julia
March 24th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Thanks! I’ve had the flu so I’ve been catching up on all the stuff I’ve missed.
I’m totally on a losing streak as far as guessing correctly. I think they can’t really convey the buyers desire for a specific area, etc. But it’s fun trying- even my 6 year old guesses. She doesn’t like to be wrong though.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
House Hunters is my ABSOLUTLY FAVORITE PROGRAM.
I love it!!!! Suzanne Whang is so darling, but I was very disappointed to see Star Jones tonight. I do not like her and I’m so worried that she has replaced Suzanee. Say it isn’t so
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Lana–
I assume that’s a repeat from 2006 when Star Jones hosted for a week from NYC. As far as I know, they have no plans to replace Suzanne with her or anyone else. But if anyone has heard differently, let us know! -Julia
May 28th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Are all the house hunters international reruns? I know that years ago there would be new epsoides run for a week around the first of September.
House Hunters and House Hunters International are my favorite shows on HGTV.
Thank You,
Suzanne Borrego
June 28th, 2008 at 9:30 am
“House Hunters” is one of the shows that always seems to be on television. Unfortunately new episodes seems few and far between. I would like to know if they will be showing new episodes in the near future. I’ve seen many more than once.
June 28th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Suzanne–
I haven’t seen a new House Hunters International in what seems like a long time.
Frank–
The key is to watch “House Hunters” on Sunday nights at 8:00 when they air the new episodes. The rest of the week they are airing repeats. I have a TiVo that records only the new episodes, so I know they’re still airing them. It has another one scheduled for tomorrow night at 8. -Julia
July 21st, 2008 at 8:14 pm
How is Myles of Styles doing in the ratings? I was soooo disappointed in DS 2 when Kim was the winner. She may be talented, but NOT in interior design. DS 1 winner, David Bronstad is a REAL star, and deserves his fabulous show, Color Splash.
Let’s see more of Splash…..and less of Myles of S.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I’ve been catching a few of what I think are the newer House Hunters shows, and there was someone elses voice other than Suzanne’s narrating! They never showed the lady and I’m wondering if Suzanne will be coming back, or was this Suzanne wannabe just temporary??
September 10th, 2008 at 12:24 am
I am considering moving to Trinity, Fl. within six months. My friend watches HGTV House Hunters and told me you did a piece on Trinity, Fl. homes in the last few weeks or couple of months. Is there any way I can buy that viewing on DVD or watch it on your website?
Thank You,
Marlene Orr
801.566.8857
September 21st, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Beside the homes asking price, I would like to know what the property taxes are for the properties
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:32 pm
To answer Marlene’s question, the Trinity episode of House Hunters will be on again on November 29th.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:12 am
Does anyone know how to find out the colors used in the houses being shown? I just watched Episode 46 of 2008. More room in Austin. There was a greenish color on the walls in House #1 that I loved.
November 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
MY FAVORITE SHOW HAS BEEN HOUSE HUNTERS FOR YEARS BUT IF THE START NOT HAVEING SUZZANE WHANG ON I WILL FLICK OFF THE CHANEL. I ESPECIALLY DISLIKE THE WOMAN THAT IS SO INSULTING ON HER AND HER DAUGHTER SHOW.I DO IT NOW AS SOON AS I HEAR HER VOICE.