HGTV FOLLOWS THE STORY OF NEWLYWEDS AS THEY BECOME FIRST-TIME HOMEOWNERS IN 'MARRIAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION'

Knoxville, Tenn. [For Immediate Release--February 3, 2010] Elation, frustration and exhaustion are common emotions for first-time homebuyers, but the roller coaster ride of homeownership doesn't end when the deal is done. In the new weekly series Marriage Under Construction, premiering on Tuesday, March 16, at 11 p.m. ET/PT, HGTV will follow the lives of newlyweds Natalie and Rod as they purchase, renovate and decorate their first home. With the aid of an expert foreman and an aspiring designer, the couple will delve into the process of transforming a new house into a home as they adjust to their new marriage and manage their household budget.

During the series, viewers will get to know Nat, a wickedly funny, tough-talking store manager who says she fell in love with Rod, a witty and good-natured restaurant owner, by watching him cook. Since Natalie and Rod are eager to move out of the "Frat House, the three-bedroom home that they share with two of Rodney's friends, they begin the search for a home of their own.

"The process of buying and renovating a home is a compelling story in itself," said Freddy James, senior vice president, program development & production, HGTV. "However, this is more than a story about a first home -- it's about the physical and emotional journey involved in building a relationship and creating a home, one day at a time."

The couple begins their search in trendy sections of their neighborhood and hopes to find a home that is a short commute to Rod's three restaurants, yet close to stores, parks and schools. They believe that they can land a dream "fixer-upper" that is within their budget, has plenty of room for kids and a great kitchen to entertain family and friends. The search, however, is more difficult than they expect, inciting reactions that range from "it makes me want to vomit" to "can we just go back to the drawing board?"

Viewers will enjoy watching each week as Rod and Nat navigate the intricacies of home buying, renovating and decorating, while maintaining their love and building their marriage along the way.

About HGTV

HGTV, America's leader in home and lifestyle programming, is distributed to more than 98 million U.S. households and is one of cable's top-rated networks. HGTV's website, HGTV.com, is the nation's leading online home-and-garden destination, which attracts an average of 4 million unique visitors per month.