To Buy or Not to Buy

Infobox Television
show_name = To Buy or Not to Buy


caption =
genre = Reality
creator =
director =
developer =
presenter = various
starring =
voices =
narrated =
theme_music_composer =
opentheme =
endtheme =
composer =
country = UK
language = English
num_seasons =
num_episodes =
list_episodes =
executive_producer =
producer =
asst_producer =
editor =
location =
camera =
runtime = 30 or 45mins
network = BBC1
picture_format =
audio_format =
first_run =
first_aired = 2003-
last_aired =
preceded_by =
followed_by =
related =
website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/homes/tv_and_radio/tbontb_index.shtml
imdb_id = 0382494
tv_com_id =

"To Buy or Not to Buy" is a British reality television series which is currently being aired on BBC One in the UK.

Background

The show is based on the concept of housing programmes such as Location, Location, Location. The idea is to try and find a house for the participants and allow them to test it out before deciding if they want to put in an offer for the house.

Format

The episodes follow a set pattern. After introducing the prospective buyers and their idea of an ideal home, including location, features and price range, each of the two presenters selects a property they feel fits that ideal. A third property, the so-called 'wild card', may not fully fit this wish list, but is believed to be adequate by the presenters.

The prospective buyers are then given the opportunity to inspect each property, discussing its flaws and merits with the presenters before guessing the property's price. They are then allowed to choose one property for an in-depth 'try before you buy' segment, where they can test drive the property more leisurely. The episode concludes with a final conversation with the prospective buyers, asking them whether they are in fact interested in purchasing the property.

Presenters

Throughout the programme, both presenters engage in mildly disparaging yet good-natured banter, both among themselves and with the contestants. The two current pairings, as of 2008, are Kristian Digby (the only original presenter still on the programme) with Ed Hall and Jenny Powell with Ian Blandford.

The original presenter teams were Dominic Littlewood with Kristian Digby, who were joined by Sarah Walker at the end of the first series, as 10 hour-long 'specials' were made, with Sarah doing makeover on the contributing couples' house as they househunted with Kristian & Dominic.

For the second series, Kristian and Sarah paired up, and Dom was joined by Melissa Porter, and then in the first half of 2005 more changes kicked in. Simon Rimmer and Sarah Walker made two series together and Kristian presented with Simon O'Brien before moving on to his current co-star Ed Hall.

Presenters have included:
*Kristian Digby
*Dominic Littlewood
*Melissa Porter
*Simon O'Brien
*Simon Rimmer
*Jenny Powell
*Ed Hall
*Sarah Walker
*Ian Blandford
*Melinda Messenger
*Sid Owen (Melinda Messenger and Sid Owen were on the programme aired on 11th Feb 2008
*Jonny Benarr

External links

*bbc.co.uk|id=homes/tv_and_radio/tbontb_index.shtml|title="To Buy or Not to Buy"
*imdb title|id=0382494|title=To Buy or Not to Buy