HGTV's new slate of shows will play up the real-life dramas involving its stars

Variety

“We are kind of stretching the HGTV brand. We are looking for more storytelling – deeper stories, richer stories – leaning more into emotions around relationships,” HGTV president Jane Latman tells Variety. “In a sense, we are moving away from the strict format.” Her plans, however, won't turn HGTV stars into partaking in Real Housewives-esque drama. “It’s not about being louder, necessarily,” she says. “It’s just about being more real and not ignoring what’s going on in the talent’s life.” Latman adds: We recognize the brand is about home, but that doesn’t mean it’s just about home renovation. It’s about looking at renovation through a family dynamic. Not everyone is going to need the same thing. You can go into the relationship in a family – what people need, how they live, and how our experts can design renovations around that.” HGTV's new slate includes 13 shows and three pilots with titles such as 40-Year-Old Property Virgin, Breaking Bland and Divide and Design.