Hosted by former The Block favourites, Jess Eva and Norm Hogan, Budget Battlers tackles full-blown makeovers with an unprecedented challenge: transforming four different Aussie homes in four weeks on the tightest budget ever seen on Australian television.
“Without a doubt, the most rewarding part of Budget Battlers is when you’ve done all the work and you see random people jump in and help. People who might not even know the names of the people they’re helping,” she said.
Premiering on 4 December at 8:30pm on Nine and 9Now, Eva told Mediaweek the most rewarding part of the new program is seeing how everything comes together at the end.
“Most people rock up on the first day for the cameras and end up dropping off on the third, fourth, fifth day and that’s when the true spirit of people comes out.
“The ones that refused to go home are the ones I’m in awe of.
“Volunteers don’t even know the homeowners. It’s one of the most beautiful, non-judgmental, kindest, beautiful moments that you will ever experience.”
Jessie Eva
How does Budget Battlers work?
The Budget Battlers team gears up with just $10,000 per home, a group of selfless volunteers and only five working days, to inspire viewers with jaw-dropping transformations, changing the lives of those who need it the most.
Eva says she hopes the new program is proof to show that Australia enjoys authentic, cut-through content.
“[I hope] Australia responds to content that they think about afterwards and content that they can apply to their own lives.
“It doesn’t have to be boring, you can contain entertainment and you can also provide impact at the same time and that’s my philosophy.
“If you can provide something that someone wants to watch but also something that someone thinks about after the show finishes, then you hopefully have a winner.”
In the season premiere, Jess and Norm meet Tim, a father-of-four who is always ready to lend a hand, expecting nothing in return.
Despite his selfless nature and long hours on the farm, Tim has neglected the most important thing – his own home.
Now is the time for the Budget Battlers team to step in.
The season also culminates in an emotional finale, where the team rallies around Jack and Shae, who also lost their home in the 2023 cyclone.
Among the many challenges the team faces as the days tick down to the final reveal are tight deadlines and the need for last-minute supplies to transform the damaged house into a welcoming family home.
“These walls weren’t built just with wood and a bit of plaster. They were built with the blood, sweat and tears of hundreds of selfless people. And to be surrounded by that is the greatest honour,” Eva said.
Budget Battlers is produced by Northlight Productions and the 9Network.
Budget Battlers premieres on Wednesday, December 4, at 8.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.