Rock Solid Builds is a Canadian home renovation reality television series, which premiered February 18, 2021 on HGTV Canada.[1] The series centres on home renovations in Newfoundland and Labrador, led by Brigus-based contractor Randy Spracklin and his Newfound Builds company.[2] Unlike the format common to most contemporary home renovation series, which typically depict a single complete renovation per episode, Rock Solid Builds features a mix of major "story arc" projects whose ongoing process is depicted across multiple episodes, and smaller "B-story" projects which are given a portion of a single episode.
Production of the series began in November 2019, and proceeded through much of 2020.[3] Production was only minimally impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada; according to Spracklin, it sometimes led to minor delays in the delivery of construction supplies, but due to the relatively low rates of COVID-19 transmission in Newfoundland at the time the series was being filmed, production was able to continue with some safety precautions.[3] Production was much more significantly impacted by the province's "Snowmageddon" blizzard of January 2020.[4]
The highest-rated new show on Canadian specialty cable services in 2021, the series was renewed for a second season,[5] which premiered in January 2022;[6] Spracklin noted that the second season projects were more affected by COVID-related supply chain issues than the first season had been.[6] The show also reportedly led to a noticeable increase in tourism in the Brigus area in 2021.[7]
A third season entered production in 2022 for broadcast in 2023.[8]
The series received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Lifestyle Series at the 11th Canadian Screen Awards in 2023.
References edit
- ^ Greg David, "Preview: HGTV’s Rock Solid Builds is a party on The Rock". TV, eh?, February 16, 2021.
- ^ Nicholas Mercer, "TV show will spotlight Newfoundland construction company as it builds up and tears down". The Telegram, February 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Melissa Hank, "HGTV's Rock Solid Builds treks to Newfoundland". canada.com, February 8, 2021.
- ^ Conor McCann, "Rock-solid television: HGTV's newest Brigus-based program showcases a tight building crew". CBC News Newfoundland and Labrador, March 6, 2021.
- ^ Greg David, "Corus Entertainment announces 35 greenlights and renewals for its iconic portfolio of specialty networks". TV, eh?, May 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Nicholas Mercer, "'Rock Solid Builds' crew took their skills across Newfoundland for season two on HGTV Canada". SaltWire Network, January 24, 2022.
- ^ Nicholas Mercer, "Brigus-based television show is bringing plenty of new exposure for the historic Newfoundland town". SaltWire Network, March 19, 2021.
- ^ Nicholas Mercer, "Building history in Brigus: 'Rock Solid Builds' shooting third season amid challenges to source material, overwhelming demand for work". SaltWire Network, September 26, 2022.
