Mark Burnett Team to Produce Fifth Season of HGTV Design Star

HGTV has signed Mark Burnett, executive producer of reality competitions such as Survivor and The Apprentice, and his production team to produce season five of the hit primetime series HGTV Design Star. Viewers and online users who want to be considered for the show can visit hgtv.com/designstar to find out how to apply. Submissions must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 19, 2010.

 "The Mark Burnett team is extremely creative and talented -- masters at crafting entertaining reality programming," said Freddy James, senior vice president, programming development and production, HGTV. "We expect that they will infuse HGTV Design Star with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that will serve as a blueprint for a successful fifth season."

With Burnett on board, the casting and production for the series are expected to move quickly. 

"We are thrilled to have our first program with HGTV and the Scripps family of networks," said Mark Burnett, "We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and making HGTV Design Star even bigger, better, and more exciting than it has been in seasons past."

Fans of the top-rated program, which follows a new crop of architects, artists, interior designers/decorators and design enthusiasts as they navigate difficult design challenges to win their own show on HGTV, have been eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to participate in the design competition. Previous HGTV Design Star winners include popular hosts David Bromstad and Kim Myles as well as season four winner Antonio Ballatore. Ballatore is currently in production for his new series, The Antonio Treatment, which premieres in March 2010.