THE ALL-NEW SEASON OF "THIS OLD HOUSE(R)" TACKLES TWO DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH: AN ARTS & CRAFTS STORYBOOK HOUSE AND AN ABANDONED BRICK BEAUTY

SEASON 37 PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 29 ON PBS

CONCORD, Mass., August 31, 2016 - THIS OLD HOUSE(R) returns for an all-new season as America's most trusted home improvement team takes on two diamonds in the rough - an Arts & Crafts style gem in an historic Boston, Massachusetts suburb and an abandoned brick beauty in the "Motor City" of Detroit. The 18-time Emmy award winning home improvement series features the two storied houses rich with history, design and construction challenges in 26 new episodes premiering September 29, 2016 on PBS (check local listings). #TOHArlington2016 #TOHDetroit

Host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, master carpenter Norm Abram, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook kick off Season 37 with the renovation of a century-old Arts & Crafts house in Arlington, Massachusetts. Built in 1909, the home represents an architectural movement toward simplicity and traditional craftsmanship - the very elements and character homeowners Nick and Emily aim to preserve both inside and out, while adding their own style.

The Arlington project's 16 all-new episodes show viewers innovative building techniques such as the use of insulated concrete forms for the addition's foundation and a state of the art heating system that will save thousands on energy costs, while the homeowners pitch in on masonry projects and an interior design plan. Nick and Emily also want a wider, open living space to accommodate their family, and THIS OLD HOUSE delivers despite the home's steeply pitched roof, and thanks to a network of hidden beams. The front porch calls for demolition and the new design helps correct a hodgepodge exterior, which had lost much of its cohesive appeal over the years. Meanwhile, overgrown landscaping calls for a complete redesign to transform the storybook home.

In the second half of the season, THIS OLD HOUSE heads to Detroit, Michigan to work with retired firefighter Frank, his wife Tamiko and their extended family to renovate a brick home which had been unoccupied for the past four years. The 1939 two-story property is one of thousands of abandoned structures that was owned by the Detroit Land Bank and sold at auction with the promise that the family would make improvements and move in.

Slated projects include a new roof, kitchen and baths, plus new mechanicals to replace vandalized equipment. The team will also restore rich historical details such as leaded stain glass windows and archways. The Detroit series will span 10 all-new episodes. A second Detroit-based project will be announced this fall.

"We're tackling two noteworthy houses with rich stories to tell. We uncovered a whole host of challenges and inspiration, making this one of our most information-packed seasons to date," said senior producer, John Tomlin.

Featuring 26 brand-new episodes (Arlington, MA, 16 episodes; Detroit, MI, 10 episodes), the 37th season of THIS OLD HOUSE will premiere nationally on PBS starting Thursday, September 29. This Old House and Ask This Old House air back-to-back and may appear in local TV listings as The This Old House Hour. Check thisoldhouse.com/tvschedule or your local listings.

As always, visitors to www.thisoldhouse.com can view previous season projects and access additional insights and information. Episodes stream digitally at thisoldhouse.com/watchtoh or through the PBS app. Viewers can become fans of THIS OLD HOUSE on Facebook, follow the show on Instagram or Twitter @ThisOldHouse, and continue the social conversation using #TOHTV, #TOHArlington2016, and #TOHDetroit.

ABOUT THIS OLD HOUSE

This Old House is the number one multi-platform home enthusiast brand, serving over 62 million consumers each month with trusted information and expert advice through its award-winning television shows This Old House and Ask This Old House, its highly regarded This Old House magazine and its inspiration and information-driven digital properties including thisoldhouse.com. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. National underwriting for This Old House television is provided by GMC, The Home Depot, State Farm Insurance Company, Lumber Liquidators, and Gorilla Glue. The Executive Producer is Chris Wolfe. Senior producer for This Old House is John Tomlin.

"ASK THIS OLD HOUSE(R)" LAUNCHES 15TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AS IT COMPLETES TOUR OF ALL 50 STATES

ALL-NEW EPISODES PREMIERE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 ON PBS WITH EASY DIY, FUTURE HOME RENOVATION, EDIBLE LANDSCAPES AND MORE

CONCORD, Mass., August 31, 2016 - ASK THIS OLD HOUSE premieres a landmark 15th season on Thursday, September 29, 2016 on PBS (check local listings). Twenty-six all-new episodes feature America's most trusted home improvement team as they travel across America from Boston to Seattle to tackle everyday homeowner questions. And with first-ever visits to Kentucky, Alaska and Hawaii, the show will have made house calls in all 50 states, "cementing" the series as one of the most extensively travelled public television shows.

Host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and landscape contractor Roger Cook are joined by other familiar faces including master electrician Scott Caron, landscape designer Jenn Nawada and home technology expert Ross Trethewey. The team will share best practices while also showing homeowners how to save money on projects and integrate modern technology solutions into their home and garden.

"Viewers from around the country are asking great questions and showing a real interest in improving their DIY skills," said senior producer Heath Racela. "We're excited to celebrate our 15th anniversary season by continuing to share tech-savvy solutions along with basic home improvement skills to give first- and longtime homeowners the confidence they need to transform their space."

Among this season's projects viewers will learn how to:

· Begin woodworking at home by setting up a home workshop in a one-car garage

· Add lighting controls with a self-powered, wireless switch

· Grow edible crops at home, no matter where you live

New this season is a 'Future House' segment, as second generation team member and home technology expert Ross Trethewey explores the latest technology and trends in home automation and renewable energy. In an episode shot in Boston's Seaport "Innovation" District, Ross meets with a startup that promises to improve small apartment living with robotic walls and furniture that allows the space to morph throughout the day based on the occupant's needs. The same technology can apply to suburban houses to make a guest room disappear when not in use or hide away a master closet to gain additional floor space.

Meanwhile, the perennial fan favorite 'Build It' woodworking segments will continue as Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor introduce projects with the novice woodworker and everyday homeowner in mind. Slated features include how to build an elegant bookshelf without specialty tools like a router and create a rustic bench from reclaimed lumber.

ASK THIS OLD HOUSE Season 15 features 26 brand-new episodes and will premiere nationally on PBS starting Thursday, September 29, 2016. In many television markets This Old House and Ask This Old House air back-to-back and may appear in local TV listings as The This Old House Hour. Check thisoldhouse.com/tvschedule or your local listings. Episodes also stream digitally at thisoldhouse.com/watchasktoh or through the PBS app. Homeowners can join the conversation on Twitter @AskTOH or Facebook.

ABOUT THIS OLD HOUSE

This Old House is the number one multi-platform home enthusiast brand, serving over 62 million consumers each month with trusted information and expert advice through its award-winning television shows This Old House and Ask This Old House, its highly regarded This Old House magazine and its inspiration and information-driven digital properties including thisoldhouse.com. This Old House and Ask This Old House are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. National underwriting for This Old House television is provided by GMC, The Home Depot, State Farm Insurance Company, Lumber Liquidators, and Gorilla Glue. The Executive Producer is Chris Wolfe. Senior producer for Ask This Old House is Heath Racela.