NBC takes on 'Renovation Nation,' Nate Berkus

Ambitious home makeover competition show to be hosted by famed interior and product designer Nate Berkus; 10 episode series will feature the most talented homebuilders and designers competing for a huge cash prize and to be crowned the winner of "Renovation Nation"

America votes for final winner in live finale, during which two lucky viewers will be awarded keys to two life-changing dream homes

NBC will begin production on "Renovation Nation," a new home makeover competition event that will showcase the talents of the most accomplished designers and home renovators in the country, revealing stunning transformations week after week. Nate Berkus, host and executive producer, will not only guide the audience through the process, but will also serve as judge and advocate, mentoring the contestants week to week.

This new series will travel across the country one city at a time, with two separate teams tackling two new homes each week. The series will conclude in a dramatic live finale where America will vote to determine the winner and two dream homes will be given away to two lucky viewers.

The announcement was made today by Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment.

"We are delighted to work with the incredibly talented Nate Berkus, whose expertise, creativity and passion for design are unparalleled in scope" Telegdy said. "We believe we are in a time where Americans want to feel empowered and inspired to make changes to their homes; changes that will not only increase their value and quality of life, but at the same time not break the bank. Our goal is to showcase incredibly diverse architecture, impeccable design and epic transformations unlike anything you've seen before."

In every episode, Berkus will present the contestants with extensive design and build challenges; crafted specifically to push the creative reach of each contestant. They'll take on a wide range of home styles and spaces, facing off to create the ultimate home transformation.

"I'm beyond excited about the fresh approach we're taking with this show. The challenges we have created are so visual, layered and unique that even I have to admit I'm jealous I'm not competing," Berkus said.

The contestants will be evaluated by Berkus and his team of experts to determine which team did the best. The winning team will be safe from elimination and the losing team will have to choose who to send home. Viewers will be able to tour the homes virtually and purchase specific items that are featured in that episode. In addition, weekly prizes will also be given away to viewers, ranging from luxury household items to home makeovers to cold, hard cash. The series will culminate in the live finale where the final two contestants will each pull off a complete home rebuild and design on their own - implementing their own unique visions for a spectacular dream home. America will vote for the winner, and those same two homes will then be given away to two viewers at the end of the live finale.

Berkus began his career at the age of 24 when he opened his own design firm, Nate Berkus Associates, in Chicago. It has grown to a staff of 15, servicing residential and commercial properties across the country and around the globe. After eight years as a design expert on "The Oprah Winfrey Show," Berkus spent two years hosting his own daily syndicated talk show, "The Nate Berkus Show." Most recently, he became a New York Times best-selling author for the second time with his book "The Things That Matter," brought his brand of home products to Target stores, launched his line of fabrics into Calico stores and executive produced the Academy Award-winning film "The Help."

To learn more about Nate Berkus, visit www.nateberkus.com.

For casting information, visit: http://www.nbc.com/casting/#renovation-nation.