Homes Under the Hammer

Homes Under the Hammer is a British factual renovation and auction series that originally screened on BBC One as part of the BBC's morning television schedule, the series has been running since 2003. Its main presenters are Lucy Alexander, Martin Roberts, and (from series 19) Dion Dublin^[1] although in series three Marc Woodward and Jasmine Birtles alternated presenting duties with Alexander and Roberts. The series is the BBC's most successful show in the 10:00 AM slot, regularly attaining a 30% market share for new episodes.

Format

Each episode of the show follows three properties (or two per half-hour show) which were bought at auction, often ones that require significant refurbishment. A cross-section of properties is featured, including residential, commercial, rural and plots of land. The programme follows a set format. One of the presenters views the property prior to going up for auction, giving their opinion on it and its potential problems as well as attractive features. A local estate agent is also invited to give their opinion on the property. The auction is then shown and the final sale price revealed.

The buyer is then met, and, during an interview with Martin or Lucy, the buyer then gives a detailed explanation of any renovation works they are going to do and how much money they expect to spend. The buyer is then left to get on with the project, with the promise that the show will re-visit the work at a later date. The programme then features another property in the same manner.

The show then returns to find out how the buyer has got on, and reminds the viewer of what the property was like prior to the auction. The results can be varied, some properties are shown fully complete, with camera shots taken in identical places "before" and "after". Other properties are shown in mid-renovation, which can give an idea of the work being done but not the final effect. Occasionally there are properties which have had no work at all done due to many factors, such as the buyer having other projects on the go or encountering hidden problems that have slowed down production.

The presenter then interviews the buyer once more, asking them if they are happy with the work so far, or indeed, with the final outcome. Martin and Lucy, however, are not present for this interview, though they do provide a voice-over. The buyer discusses their expenditure, etc. and if they felt it was worthwhile. This time, two local estate agents are invited to give their opinion on the quality of work, and whether the property is now more desirable. They then give a valuation in both the market value and rental potential. The buyer is invited to give their opinion on those valuations, and asked what they intend to do with the property. Occasionally, subsequent updates are given to the viewer.

The name of the show is a slight misnomer, as commercial and industrial property also feature on the programme in addition to residential lots.

Music

During the stages of viewing the property, or whilst interviewing the buyer, music is normally played which is related to the property, or person buying. For example, whilst viewing a house that may be expensive to repair or renovate, a suitable song such as Money Money Money may be heard. Or when buying a flat in a high rise building they may use "Moving on Up" by M People. If guests mention they enjoy a certain activity, the show plays a song to fit that activity. For example, in the 14 April 2010 episode, a buyer said he enjoyed surfing and they played "Surfin' Safari" by The Beach Boys. During an episode aired 31 May 2011 AC/DC's "Back In Black" was played during a segment with Roberts adding the voice over "We're back in Blackburn." Since the programme is not intended for release on home video formats, the music is included under a 'blanket licence agreement' and therefore viewers can hear tracks by high profile artists such as Portishead and Massive Attack that would usually be 'unaffordable', uneconomic or simply refused to other higher budget BBC productions that are intended for home release. At the end of each programme, when the estate agents return to provide a final valuation on the property, their appearance is accompanied by a track entitled "Soul Food".

London-based composers Michael Burdett and Richard Cottle created the theme tune, stings and musical beds for Homes Under the Hammer.

Transmissions

External links

• Homes Under the Hammer at BBC Programmes
• Homes Under the Hammer at the Internet Movie Database

References

1. ↑ "BBC - Dion Dublin joins BBC One Daytime show Homes Under The Hammer - Media centre". bbc.co.uk.