The highly anticipated HGTV show, Chasing the West, featuring the Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, has experienced a delay in its premiere, now rescheduled for the end of July. Initially set to launch on July 10, 2023, the postponement comes in the wake of significant cancellations at the network, raising concerns among fans regarding the future of their favorite programs.
In an interview with TV Insider on July 28, Jonathan Scott explained the underlying reasons for the delay. He stated, “A lot of people don’t realize when we’re shooting these shows, we have certain shooting deadlines. We want to turn around our edits and our deliverables, but we’re also following real stories of real life.” The brothers recently celebrated surpassing their 600th episode, highlighting their commitment to helping families through their shows.
Jonathan further emphasized the unique nature of Chasing the West, noting that while summer is typically not their preferred timeframe for new releases, the show felt timely and relevant to their audience’s interests. “There’s just as much uncertainty in when we’re shooting the shows and following the real story as there is on the scheduling side,” he added, indicating that they are navigating various factors to determine the best air date.
Drew Scott also shared insights on the show’s development, stating, “We produce the shows that our fans are asking for to try and inspire them, whether it’s the homeowners we’re actually helping in the show or it’s the viewers.” He highlighted the global reach of their programming, noting that their shows are broadcast in over 160 countries.
In conjunction with the delay of Chasing the West, an updated press release revealed that the second season of Don’t Hate Your House With the Property Brothers has also been postponed from its original July 30 premiere to “later this year.” While the latest season of Celebrity IOU aired as expected on July 9, the changes surrounding the two shows have sparked concern among viewers, especially following HGTV’s recent decision to cancel five programs, including Battle on the Beach and Married to Real Estate.
Adding to the uncertainty, a source recently informed Us Weekly that Tarek and Heather Rae El Moussa’s show, Flipping El Moussas, will not return to HGTV, nor will Christina Haack’s series Christina on the Coast. Meanwhile, the future of The Flip Off, another of the network’s offerings, remains unclear, with no filming or air date announced for its second season.
Despite the cancellations, HGTV is still investing in new content. One such project is Bobby Berk’s upcoming show Junk or Jackpot?, which will guide homeowners in evaluating their cherished collections. Berk expressed enthusiasm about the show, stating, “I’m excited to help passionate people sift through their cherished items and give them reimagined spaces that will best honor what they hold dear.” This new six-episode season aims to help viewers determine whether their collections are “trash or treasure,” as explained by executive producer John Cena.
As the landscape of HGTV continues to evolve, both Drew and Jonathan Scott remain focused on delivering engaging content that resonates with their audience. With the delay of Chasing the West now confirmed, fans are eagerly awaiting the new premiere date and hoping for continued innovation from the network.
