HGTV Is Making an Unexpected Play for Reality TV’s Biggest Trend

Trying to come up with a novel reality TV concept today can be hard, but finding something already established to latch onto has become the new way in. In a time when audiences want comfort and recognition, reality TV is delivering. Audiences love watching their favorite personalities in new situations. In the latest trend, HGTV is handing out a rose to a beloved IP as they follow in the footsteps of reality television crossovers.

In the newest series, Bachelor Mansion Takeover, 12 former Bachelor Nation alums are putting their design and renovation skills to the test to transform the iconic Bachelor Mansion. Hosted by The Bachelor host himself, Jesse Palmer, the new series marries everything HGTV fans love about renovation with the elements related to elimination-based competition reality shows. It’s a shift in the greater picture of the types of shows HGTV is presenting, but it’s also a reflection of the greater reality TV landscape.

'Bachelor Mansion Takeover' Has the Potential for Massive Success

Reality television competition series, as of late, have been sourcing their contestants from recognizable series to attract new audiences to the network. For HGTV, they are riding high, hoping that all of Bachelor Nation will head over to see their favorite former singles embark on a non-romantic journey. The concept is simple: 12 former contestants from The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor, and The Golden Bachelorette will put their design and renovation skills to the test as they transform iconic, never-before-seen rooms. Taking bold design risks, forming alliances, and facing shocking eliminations, their creativity and craftsmanship will be judged by Bachelor Nation stars Tayshia Adams, a bit of an architecture and interior design connoisseur, and Tyler Cameron, who has moved into the home renovation television space with his Prime Video architecture series, Going Home with Tyler Cameron.

The series has incredible potential thanks to HGTV fans' adoration for design competition series and Bachelor Nation fans' ability to gain new insights into their favorite franchise. As Palmer put it, "For the first time, we're pulling back the curtain and revealing the mansion as you've never seen it before. Our 12 contestants have already lived through the twists and turns of The Bachelor franchise. They know this is not going to be easy. And the clock is ticking because this renovation has to be finished before a new season of The Bachelorette begins." ABC could benefit tremendously from this crossover, as it will allow HGTV fans to tune in to the new season and see the new mansion in action. And, tying back once again to reality TV crossovers, the next season of the series will be led by The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul. See! It's all coming together like a brilliant puzzle.

Reality TV Today Thrives On Recognizability

By pairing with a long-running IP, HGTV hopes Bachelor Nation lovers who may not usually tune in will be captivated enoughto stick around. The collaboration could also open the doors to a future reality TV crossover on HGTV. The more these reality stars are on camera, the better the chance they pop up on other franchises. The recognizability of reality stars in new places is a recipe for success. HGTV, which has employed former Survivors in the past, including Wendell Holland and Kim Spradlin Wolfe, is about to see if this is the next blueprint for the future and what IP they can tap into next.

Crossovers are trending high. Food Network has had multiple seasons of Worst Cooks in America featuring reality stars, including this current season. Survivor and Beast Games crossed over for a major moment in which Survivor challenges were part of the competition, with Jeff Probst stopping by. For Survivor 50, Mr. Beast will appear with a new and mysterious Beast Token. The Traitors is the biggest reality show in America right now, which has inspired shows like House of Villains and The GOAT. These shows work partly because they rely on recognizable reality stars coming together to play. Instead of hoping a new cast of fresh faces will sell a show, plucking ready-made reality stars is the draw. And it's working. Where else can you watch RuPaul's Drag Race stars battling The Real Housewives? Bachelor Mansion Takeover easily could have found 12 fans to put their skills to the test, but that wouldn't have been enticing. Rather than feeling derivative, the concept reflects a broader shift in reality television, one that prioritizes recognizable personalities and proven formats audiences continue to respond to.

Bachelor Mansion Takeover premieres Monday, March 2, at 8:00 pm on HGTV. All episodes will be available to stream on HBO Max.