The short version: They don't build 'em like they used to. Like many abandoned residences in the city, the house's potential has made a big impression on the "This Old House" cast.Īfter touring the latest updates inside the house, show host Kevin O'Connor noted there have been a few unpleasant surprises: "There (have) been leaks that we didn't know that were here, and wet basements we didn't know, and electrical meters that disappeared overnight and that kind of stuff." But he stressed that the good surprises far outweigh them. Located in northwest Detroit about 5 miles from downtown, it's part of a neighborhood with a rich history and prominent past residents including poet Dudley Randall, artist Carl Owen, composer Brazeal Dennard and Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson, former members of the Supremes.
It previously was one of thousands of homes in need of restoration that are being auctioned by the Detroit Land Bank. Polk's house is a two-story, 1939 brick structure. "This Old House" announced in June that filming had begun at the house for the show's 37th season, which premieres Sept. 29. The 10 episodes on the Detroit project are expected to begin airing in March. Now we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel." "It's been hectic, especially the last few weeks here. "Probably about 12 things are happening at the same time," said Frank Polk, a retired Detroit firefighter whose house was selected by the hit PBS staple as the show's first Motor City project.
Two men in a basket crane were removing rotted-looking wood at the roof line. In the backyard, more men and women were assembled to film that day of projects underway, a list that included reconstructing the front and back porches removing antique stained-glass windows for restoration installing the heating, ventilating and air-conditioning system, and painting and replacing fascia and soffit boards. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and I think 43 years kind of shows it ain’t broke,” Suratt said.A brick home in Detroit's Russell Woods neighborhood, empty for several years, was getting the "This Old House" treatment on a recent weekday. Other than the increased number of episodes, Suratt said the show’s formula isn’t changing. Season 43 of This Old House starts with an old house in Concord. Already it has added Amica Mutual Insurance as a sponsor, joining long-time underwriters like Home Depot. The move to Roku has made this old house more aggressive about selling sponsorships. The show is also popular with advertisers. That will only be helped by a promotional campaign set to launch in mid-October. Streaming hours of This Old House and Ask This Old House have gone up nearly 50% in the first six months since Roku bought the show, compared to the six months before the acquisition, he added. Of the 200 linear channels available through The Roku Channel This Old House is one of the top 20 linear channels by hours streamed from Jan. This Old House has proved its popularity with streamers. “It’s a great opportunity for a brand that has had such a storied past to have the leader in streaming technology and delivery of content to be our parent to allow us not only to distribute more widely but also create more content,” he said.
There are seven This Old House free streaming channels on various platforms, and Roku will be looking to syndicate This Old House Classic to other platforms, Suratt said.
The Roku Channel will have the current season of the shows available on demand for free, plus four additional seasons.
The two new channels will accompany the This Old House Channel, which has been streaming on The Roku Channel since 2019. “It’s new and classic all in one,” Suratt observed. This Old House Classic will feature seasons one through 12 (including episodes with Bob Vila) and seasons one through five of Ask This Old House.
Roku is also starting up a This Old House Classic linear channel that will be available through The Roku Channel’s Live TV Channel Guide.
The subscription service will be available on other streaming platforms in the near future, he added.
Suratt said the $4.99 price is in line with what others are charging for premium content.