Inside Seven’s big Block poaching gamble for viewers

Channel 7 is raiding its rival’s tool shed, and it’s hard not to call it a Blockxodus.

In a major reality TV shake-up, former The Block judge Neale Whitaker will front the 2026 season of My Reno Rules, jumping to Seven after more than a decade critiquing Nine’s flagship renovation hit.
He was replaced by Whitefox chief executive Marty Fox in 2023, with Whitaker guest appearing in the 2023 and 2024 seasons respectively.

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Joining him on the judging panel is Cohen Handler co-founder Simon Cohen – the same agency where fellow former Block buyers’ advocate Nicole Jacobs is now managing director for Victoria.

Ms Jacobs famously sold her own Hampton home, along with several of her neighbours’ properties, to The Block in 2021.

Interiors stylist Julia Green completes the line-up, bringing her bold, magazine-perfect designs and industry clout from years at the helm of her Greenhouse Interiors brand.

Earlier this month Seven announced LMCT+ founder Adrian “Lambo Guy” Portelli is stepping in as principal sponsor and will take the spotlight in the show’s live grand final.

Portelli made headlines last year splashing more than $27m on eight Block homes and gifting $50,000 to Sunrise host Alex Cullen in a stunt that ended the presenter’s Nine career.

For My Reno Rules, he will give away two multimillion-dollar homes to viewers in a finale Seven is banking on to rival The Block’s Sunday auction night event.

Industry sources say the 2026 season will see four teams transforming two rundown Melbourne homes under the watch of host Dr Chris Brown, competing for a major cash prize while viewers have the unprecedented chance to win one of the finished properties.

Whitaker’s defection is the most high-profile of the moves, while Cohen’s professional link to Jacobs ties the series even more closely to Nine’s property empire.

The changes come as The Block faces its own challenges, with insiders pointing to softening property markets and the underperformance of spin-offs such as Listing Melbourne.

While that show tried to channel the glamour of Luxe Listings Sydney where Cohen was a central figure, it never connected with audiences.

An industry insider told the Herald Sun there was “plenty of curiosity” about how the format will perform, but warned Seven faces a mammoth task.

“People are interested, but The Block is a juggernaut, it’s been unbeatable for years and My Reno Rules has existed in various forms for over a decade,” the source said.

“This is a big swing, but whether it lands is another story.

“Seven’s gamble is clear. Stack the line-up with personalities Block fans already know, add Portelli’s high-octane profile, and hope the format finally hits its stride.”

Meanwhile, the source revealed Mitre 10 is reportedly in talks to come on board as a major sponsor after being shunned by The Block in favour of Bunnings this year.

A deal would give Seven another direct link to its rival’s past, and the hardware chain a chance to reclaim prime time renovation turf it once dominated.

My Reno Rules will air on Channel 7 in 2026.

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david.bonaddio@news.com.au

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