Was last year’s 2020 season the best Block ever? Yes, Mediaweek reported last year at the end of season 16. That is if you judge a series’ success by the size of the prize pool, not quite if you judge it by the size of the audience historically.
However, there is a pretty good argument that season 17 can be called the best season yet if you judge by the compelling storylines and the quality of the properties.
In 2020 The Block gave away the biggest cash prize in world television history: $3.332m
Australia’s most-watched renovation show broke records last year after selling five impressive family homes in the Grand Finale Auction, giving away more money than ever during the show’s broadcast on Nine and 9Now.
The Block 2020 champs: Jimmy and Tam took home $1m+
The 2020 series winners Jimmy and Tam from Brisbane took home $1,066,000, the biggest cash prize in Block and Australian TV history. Their 1950s Palm Springs-inspired house sold in the second auction of the night for a massive $4,256,000, which was $966,000 over reserve. It was the largest sum over the reserve of all five houses – which means Jimmy and Tam received an additional $100,000 in prize money as winners of the series.
The 2020 results came as a great relief to host Scott Cam, he said after the sale last year.
“I’ve done a lot of these auctions and I thought it was going to be a tough day, but it’s been the most unbelievable day we have had by a mile. Everyone made sensational money, some of the contestants paid off their mortgages. It has been amazing.”
The 2020 auction results confirmed The Block as Australia’s richest reality program, taking the total prizemoney across its 16 seasons to a whopping $26,499,503.
See also: The Block gives away biggest TV cash prize ever…in the world!
All The Block winners
2003 – BONDI – Adam & Fiona, $256,000
2004 – MANLY – Jamie & Andrew, $178,000
2010 – VAUCLUSE – John & Neisha, $305,000
2011 – RICHMOND – Polly & Waz, $115,000
2012 – SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad & Lara, $606,000
2013 – ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil & Amity, $395,000
2013 – SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa & Lysandra, $395,000
2014 – FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve & Chantelle, $736,000
2014 – GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon & Simon, $435,000
2015 – TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren & Deanne, $935,000
2015 – THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean & Shay, $755,000
2016 – THE BLOCK 2016 (PORT MELBOURNE) – Will & Karlie, $815,000
2017 – THE BLOCK 2017 (ELSTERNWICK) – Josh & Elyse, $547,000
2018 – THE BLOCK GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden & Sara, $645,000
2019 – THE BLOCK OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess & Luke, $730,000
2020 – THE BLOCK BRIGHTON – Jimmy & Tam, $1,066,000
2021 – THE BLOCK FANS v FAVES
A heated Block body corporate meeting after the cheating scandal
Will the winners be Ronnie and Georgia (WA), Mitch and Mark (NSW), Tanya and Vito (Vic), Josh and Luke (NSW), or Kirsty and Jesse (NSW). The judges seemed to think Kirsty and Jesse have the biggest and best property, but could the size of their reserve cut into their winnings?
See also: TV Guide The Block Fans v Faves Grand Finale Auction on Nine and 9Now