In this episode of TV Central: One on One, host Aaron Ryan sits down with two of Australia’s most loved renovation personalities — Jess Eva and Norm Hogan — to talk about the return of Budget Battlers, the heartfelt renovation series changing lives across the country.
What started as a quiet Wednesday-night show has become a ratings favourite, loved for its warmth, authenticity, and community spirit. Now it’s back with Season 2 — bigger, bolder, and more emotional than ever.
🏠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode
1. The Return of Budget Battlers
- Jess and Norm share how it feels to be back for another season.
- The show began with little fanfare, yet built a loyal audience.
- Why viewers connected so deeply with the heart and honesty of Budget Battlers.
2. The Concept and Challenges
- What Budget Battlers is all about — transforming homes and lives on a tight budget.
- Each episode features a $10,000 budget and just five days to renovate an entire home.
- How Jess and Norm problem-solve, improvise, and pivot when things don’t go to plan.
3. The Heart of the Series
- Season 2 brings emotional, real-life stories from across Australia, including:
- Ebony in Aberfoyle Park
- Sandra in Maidstone
- Aunty Velda in Brisbane
- Maurice in Birchip
- Jess and Norm open up about the emotional impact of helping families rebuild their homes — and their lives.
4. The Team and New Faces
- Meet the new faces joining the Budget Battlers family:
- Melissa Tkautz (Real Housewives of Sydney)
- Lachlan Vidler
- The team from Human Kind
- What each new personality brings to the show — from design inspiration to practical know-how and community engagement.
5. Behind the Scenes with Maker Media
- Jess steps behind the camera this season as part of Maker Media, the company producing Budget Battlers.
- How the opportunity came about — and what it’s like balancing on-screen and production roles.
6. Looking Ahead
- Could there be a Budget Battlers Season 3, or even a special edition?
- Jess and Norm share what they hope audiences take away from this inspiring new season.
❤️ Why Budget Battlers Matters
In a time when cost-of-living pressures are hitting hard, Budget Battlers proves that big transformations don’t need big budgets.
It’s a show full of heart, community, and hope — reminding viewers that even small acts of generosity can make a massive difference.
📺 Tune In
Catch Budget Battlers — returning Wednesday, October 22 at 7.30pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Expect emotional stories, jaw-dropping makeovers, and plenty of inspiration for your own home projects.
🔗 Listen Now
🎙️ Listen to the full interview with Jess Eva and Norm Hogan on the latest episode of the TV Central: One on One Podcast, available at:
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