DIY Network Gives Fans a Chance to Win a Vacation Home Designed by Its Online Community

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIY Network has been promising viewers “You Design It, We Build It, You Could Win It!” since the beginning of this year. After completing the design and build phases of the 2011 Blog Cabin, fans will finally have a chance to enter to win the cabin from Monday, Aug. 15 through Friday, Sept. 30 on www.DIYNetwork.com/blogcabin. Blog Cabin, an original groundbreaking multimedia experience, asks Internet users and viewers to vote and blog on the design features of the ultimate vacation home and offers a chance for one lucky viewer to win it. The entire process of designing and building the vacation home is documented in the fifth season of DIY Network’s hit series Blog Cabin, which premieres Thursday, Aug. 18 at 9 p.m. ET.

“You Design It, We Build It, You Could Win It!”

This press release has an accompanying Smart Marketing Page providing further details about the organization, products and services introduced below. You can access the Smart Marketing Page via the following link: http://www.businesswire.com/smp/diynetworkblogcabin2011.

Hosted by licensed contractor Matt Blashaw, this year’s Blog Cabin features a team of DIY Network’s expert hosts transforming a 3-bedroom, 2-bath early 1900s home into a modern-day retreat. The 2011 Blog Cabin is located on the Chesapeake Bay in eastern Virginia, just a short drive from Colonial Williamsburg and Washington, D.C. It sits on over 16 acres of outdoor-living paradise and is surrounded by great sailing, shopping and relaxing in one of the most charming communities in the country.

“The winner of this year’s Blog Cabin is in for a real treat,” said host Matt Blashaw. “While filming, I just fell in love with the area, so I know the winner will appreciate the beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay from the comfort of their new vacation home. The charm of the historic waterfront neighborhood and the hospitality of the community are welcoming additions to any vacation destination.”

The DIYNetwork.com community participated heavily in the design decisions of this year’s Blog Cabin. Since January, DIYNetwork.com had viewers vote on various elements of the home’s renovation, generating over 8.7 million total votes.

Once votes were tallied, host Matt Blashaw, along with several DIY Network guest hosts, brought the voters’ choices to life at the cabin. Josh Temple (House Crashers) redid the living room, Matt Muenster (Bath Crashers) renovated the master suite, Anitra Mecadon (Mega Dens) built out the rec room, Dean Marsico and Derek Stearns (Indoors Out) completed the backyard entertainment area, James Young (I Hate My Kitchen) hooked up the kitchen, and Jason Cameron (Desperate Landscapes, Man Caves) revamped the front landscaping.

In addition to the high-powered roster of DIY Network talent working on the home, numerous national partners as well as local vendors and workers teamed up with the network to participate in the renovation project. For the second year in a row, Good Housekeeping partnered with DIY Network to renovate one entire room in the house. This year, fans were able to choose from one of three design styles for the dining room, which Good Housekeeping editors then incorporated in the home.

DIY Network also partnered with the following sponsors during the renovation of 2011 Blog Cabin: Lumber Liquidators, Inc., The Sherwin-Williams Company, Whirlpool Corp., Generac Power Systems, Inc., James Hardie Building Products, Budget Blinds Inc., Kohler Co., Lane Furniture, PODS Enterprises, Inc., General Motors Corporation, and Revere Gas.

DIY Network’s Blog Cabin premiered in 2007 and was a huge success online and on-air. In its first four seasons, nearly 15.5 million votes combined on features ranging from the floor plan, roof, countertops, front door and more, were cast on DIY Network’s companion Web site, DIYNetwork.com. Last year’s initiative resulted in over four million sweepstakes entries, more than 3.8 million online votes, 34.9 million page views and over 100,000 blog comments.

Additional information on DIY Network's experts, tips and home improvement programs, visit the network's companion website at www.DIYNetwork.com. Members of the media may also obtain additional press materials, talent bios and show images by registering at DIY Network’s online media newsroom. Viewers can also become fans of DIY Network and interact with other home improvement enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers through facebook and Twitter. DIY Network is available nationwide on DISH Network Ch. 111 and DIRECTV Ch. 230, and additional cable channel designations may be found by checking local listings and www.DIYNetwork.com/tv.

ABOUT DIY NETWORK

DIY Network, from the makers of HGTV and Food Network, is the go-to destination for rip-up, knock-out home improvement television. DIY Network’s programs and experts answer the most sought-after questions and offer creative projects for do-it-yourself enthusiasts. One of the fastest growing digital networks and currently in more than 53 million homes, DIY Network’s programming covers a broad range of categories, including home improvement and landscaping. The network’s award-winning website, www.DIYNetwork.com, is a leader in the Nielsen Online Home and Garden category and features multiple resources, including thousands of do-it-yourself home improvement projects, expert advice, how-to videos and images, and user-friendly reference guides with step-by-step instructions.

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