What Will Happen to DIY Network Shows When It Becomes Chip and Joanna Gaines's New Channel?
The DIY Network will shutter in 2020 to make way for Chip and Joanna Gaines‘s new channel. But what will happen to all of its shows?
Discovery Inc., the parent company of HGTV and DIY Network, announced on Wednesday, that the much-buzzed-about venture from the Fixer Upper stars will officially make its debut in summer 2020 and feature a slate of new programs currently in development. The release also states that “DIY Network, currently in more than 52 million U.S. homes, will be renamed for the venture.”
This means that the launch of the Gaines’s yet-to-be-named network also officially marks the end of DIY, a representative for Discovery confirms to PEOPLE.
“More information about programming for the new Magnolia network will be announced in the coming months, but this will be a total rebrand,” a source tells PEOPLE exclusively. “All of the content for the new network will be inspired by Magnolia and curated by Chip and Joanna,”In the mean time, however, the Discovery rep says, “DIY Network will continue with great premiere content, just as audiences have always enjoyed it.”
It’s not clear whether any of DIY’s current shows will find a home on Chip and Joanna’s network or other Discovery Inc.-owned channels like HGTV or TLC.
Some of the biggest stars currently associated with DIY Network are Rob “Vanilla Ice” Van Winkle of The Vanilla Ice Project, and Nicole Curtis of Rehab Addict.
A representative for Van Winkle did not immediately reply to PEOPLE’s request for comment
However, Curtis confirmed to PEOPLE on Wednesday that she had already parted ways with DIY Network at the time of Chip and Joanna’s announcement. “We left before that decision was made (by choice) to take a much needed break,” she says. While reruns of Rehab Addict still air on the channel, she’s currently working on developing a new show for HGTV. “I wish [Chip and Joanna] the best of luck,” she adds.
Clint Harp, the Gaineses’ go-to carpenter, who made regular appearances on Fixer Upper over the series’ run, currently has a show of his own, Wood Work, airing on DIY. It’s not known whether that show will make the jump to the new channel, be reimagined, or meet another fate.
“I’m just hearing this news along with the rest of America,” Harp told PEOPLE on Wednesday. “[My wife] Kelly and I truly loved working with HGTV and DIY, and like many people, were surprised to hear of the upcoming changes within the Discovery networks. As for me, I’ll now be diving back into conversations with producers and networks about some great possible projects.”
He added, “Obviously working with Chip and Jo is always on the table for me, as I think we have done pretty well together! Whomever I work with, whatever the project, my hope is always the same: to be able to produce good work that inspires people to go out and do something they love.”
Chip and Joanna announced they would end Fixer Upper after five seasons in September of 2017, and the fan-favorite series aired its final episode the following April. The couple shared that they chose to end the show to focus on their family — which grew by one more with the arrival of baby Crew in June — and their many other business ventures.
“With our little ones getting bigger, we had this gut feeling that it was time to step back and focus on them and our businesses here in Waco, Texas. And although that’s why we thought we decided to step away from the show, we now realize with this little one on the way that there was a bigger plan in place for us all along,” Joanna wrote in a farewell message after the series finale.
However, less than a year later, they revealed they had something even more demanding in the works: plans to create their own channel under the Discovery Inc. umbrella. They shared the news on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in November.
The couple will be co-Chief Creative Officers for the network and the new shows will center around “community, home, garden, food wellness, entrepreneurialism and design,” according to Discovery release.
“Our goal for this multi-platform media company is to deliver a unique, inspiring and family-friendly content experience rooted in honesty and authenticity — the kind of programming that helps bring people together,” Magnolia spokesperson John Marsicano tells PEOPLE in a statement. We believe Discovery is the perfect partner for this joint venture and we are excited for what lies ahead!”
Chip and Joanna spoke on stage at Discovery Upronts in New York City on Wednesday to express their excitement and give some hints about what’s to come.
“Our hope with this network is that it really feels like home,” Joanna said. “I think when people come, they’ll find what they were looking for. Whether its design, gardening, cooking — that it resonates with people. We hope that people come, sit and they stay a while.”
Added Chip, “I can tell you that if you all will give us another chance, support us like you’ve done the last 6 or 7 years, we have a funny feeling that you won’t be disappointed. We couldn’t be more excited.”
