Mike Holmes to Host "Home Free" New Reality TV Series on Fox Network

Back in November of last year, Mike was in Los Angeles being courted by TV executives. He couldn't say exactly what he was up to, but he assured his fans that whatever it was, it was "big" and asked his fans to wish him good luck (See What's Mike Up To? Rumors and Speculations... for more information). As it turns out, "big" just doesn't seem like the appropriate word to describe Mike's most recent activities. It was announced today by both Fox Broadcasting and Mike Holmes that Mike is slated to host his very own prime time reality series this summer. The show entitled Home Free features couples competing to win their dream home by renovating a dilapidated home every week under the supervision of Mike. The catch? The couples will have to live in the homes 24/7 as they are renovated, meaning the better they do at the challenges Mike throws at them, the more comfortably they live. Home Free is set to air Wednesday nights at 9/8C starting July 22 on Fox. As most fans are aware, Mike Holmes is no stranger to reality show series. Besides Holmes on Homes, Holmes Inspection, and Holmes Makes It Right, which are sort of reality series, Mike has been a host judge on Canada's Handyman Challenge and its across-the-border sister spin-off All American Handyman. Although successful in their own rights, these HGTV and DIY Network series are small bananas compared to prime time on a major TV network. A show like this will undoubtedly expose Mike to a whole new and potentially much larger audience than anything he's ever done! It's a fantastic opportunity for him to spread his message far and wide and gain some much needed support for the trades.

From Fox.com:

ALL-NEW COMPETITION SERIES “HOME FREE”

BREAKS GROUND WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, ON FOX

Host Mike Holmes to Award the Winning Couple a Dream Home

FOX has ordered HOME FREE, a new competition series that will feature never-before-seen twists and plenty of surprises, as couples vie to win their dream home. From Relativity Television and executive producer Tom Forman (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”), and hosted by famed professional contractor Mike Holmes (“Holmes on Homes®”), the eight-episode unscripted series breaks ground Wednesday, July 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

“HOME FREE is a ‘renovation’ of the home makeover genre and FOX is, without question, the right network to partner with,” said Tom Forman, CEO of Relativity Television. “We’re thrilled to have host Mike Holmes, the most legit name in renovation. He’s going to inspire our contestants, but also push them to the limit...and that’s a great thing. I’ve done some big shows, but this is the biggest, complete with all sorts of twists and turns you’ll have to watch to believe. We can’t wait to get renovating.”

“A home is way more than brick and mortar. So being part of this new series and partnering with FOX is truly exciting for me,” said Holmes. “I’m ready to break ground with these couples. It’s going to be a lot of sweat and tears but I promise you, all worth it in the end...trust me on this.”

On HOME FREE, nine deserving couples are challenged to revive one run-down home every week. During each episode, Holmes will present the couples with tasks designed to test and challenge the skills of these do-it-yourself enthusiasts. Holmes will be with the competitors every step of the way – picking apart their work and demanding they meet his high standards, while also sharing his expertise and guidance to help them reach new heights. But in a surprise twist, when the work is done for the day, the couples don’t have far to travel to get home…because not only must they work together to restore the home, they must all live together in the same dilapidated home 24/7. The more they accomplish, the better they sleep at night.

Each week, the couples with the best work will move forward in the competition, while the couple who didn’t perform up to code will face elimination. Eliminations will continue each week, until only two couples remain, who will fight to the finish to win their ultimate dream home.

Holmes is a professional contractor and the host and creator of the hit TV series “Holmes on Homes®,” “Holmes Inspection” and “Holmes Makes It Right.” After working in the building and renovation industry for more than 20 years, Holmes was asked to develop and host his own television series, “Holmes on Homes®,” which became an international success and broke ratings records, solidifying his career in television. With more than 30 years’ experience as a licensed contractor, Holmes has been able to use television as a tool to educate homeowners on how to manage a renovation; what to look for in contractors; the right products for the right job; proper home repair and maintenance; and their rights as homeowners.

HOME FREE is produced by Relativity Television and executive-produced by Tom Forman, George Verschoor, Trice Bartow, Brad Bishop, Andrew Marcus and Mike Holmes. The series will be distributed internationally by ELECTUS.

About Relativity Television

Relativity Television is one of the largest suppliers of television programming in the United States. Since its inception in 2008, Relativity Television has produced more than 1,000 hours of programming for more than 55 networks, including NBC, MTV, Showtime, A&E, Discovery Channel, Food Network and Disney Channel. In 2014, Relativity Television produced 45 series/specials, including ”Catfish: The TV Show” (MTV), “The Great Food Truck Race” (Food Network), “The American Bible Challenge” (Game Show Network) and ”All About Sex” (TLC).