HGTV to premiere “Ellen’s Design Challenge” in January

ELLEN'S DESIGN CHALLENGE HGTV has set a January premiere date for its furniture design series conceptualized by and starring Ellen Degeneres.

Ellen’s Design Challenge will begin airing on the U.S. cable network on January 26 at 9 p.m. EST/PST. The six-episode show challenges six contestants to sketch, design and build creative furniture pieces. The winner receives US$100,000 and a feature in HGTV Magazine.

The series is a coproduction between Degeneres’s A Very Good Production and A. Smith & Co., in association with Telepictures. It was inspired by the comedian and talk show host’s expertise in furniture design, and love of buying and renovating homes.

In addition to Degeneres, the cast includes host Jay Montepare and Dwell editor-in-chief Amanda Dameron, along with Wayfair.com executive creative director Christine Lemieux, who are on the judging panel. Each contestant is paired off with an expert carpenter to help them complete their designs and has access to a “build team” and workshop.

The network will also air a six-part companion series online during the show’s run.

Exec producers on Ellen’s Design Challenge are Degeneres and Jeff Kleeman of A Very Good Production, and Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Tim Eagan of A. Smith & Co.