The latest season of The Block has been mired in controversy.
But it appears the renovation show still has plenty of fans, with thousands flooding the Melbourne location during open inspections of the contestant’s five houses.
Charming Street was crammed on Sunday, with viewers hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.
The contestants obliged their biggest fans, posing for selfies with those who lined up see them and their renovated properties.
The overwhelming support for the show comes admit drama, controversy and bullying claims.
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 2 The latest season of The Block has been mired in controversy. But it appears the renovation show still has plenty of fans, with thousands flooding the Melbourne location during open inspections of the contestant's five houses](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577039-12632507-image-a-36_1697359643567.jpg)
The latest season of The Block has been mired in controversy. But it appears the renovation show still has plenty of fans, with thousands flooding the Melbourne location during open inspections of the contestant’s five houses
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 4 Charming Street was crammed on Sunday, with viewers hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577005-12632507-image-a-37_1697359654817.jpg)
Charming Street was crammed on Sunday, with viewers hoping to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars
The Block is potentially looking at some major changes next year following complaints from viewers and declining ratings.
According to sources close to production, Channel Nine may change the show’s production company after the 20th season airs next year to freshen things up.
‘The Block could crumble if [producers] and the team behind the show don’t make some major changes,’ the source said.
One source of tension has been the drama between villains Brett and Kristy, and their rivals Leah and Ash, with the feud taking over the entire season.
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 6 The contestants obliged their biggest fans, posing for selfies with those who lined up see them and their renovated properties and signing autographs](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577065-12632507-image-a-38_1697359660461.jpg)
The contestants obliged their biggest fans, posing for selfies with those who lined up see them and their renovated properties and signing autographs
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 8 The overwhelming support for the show comes admit drama, controversy and bullying claims](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577053-12632507-image-a-39_1697359663711.jpg)
The overwhelming support for the show comes admit drama, controversy and bullying claims
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 10 The Block is potentially looking at some major changes next year following complaints from viewers and declining ratings](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577061-12632507-image-a-40_1697359666872.jpg)
The Block is potentially looking at some major changes next year following complaints from viewers and declining ratings
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 12 According to sources close to production, Channel Nine may change the show's production company after the 20th season airs next year to freshen things up](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577049-12632507-image-a-41_1697359671313.jpg)
According to sources close to production, Channel Nine may change the show’s production company after the 20th season airs next year to freshen things up
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 14 'The Block could crumble if [producers] and the team behind the show don't make some major changes,' the source said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577025-12632507-image-a-52_1697359723329.jpg)
‘The Block could crumble if [producers] and the team behind the show don’t make some major changes,’ the source said
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 16 One source of tension has been the drama between villains Brett and Kristy, and their rivals Leah and Ash, with the feud taking over the entire season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577021-12632507-image-a-53_1697359727171.jpg)
One source of tension has been the drama between villains Brett and Kristy, and their rivals Leah and Ash, with the feud taking over the entire season
‘I don’t think they quite expected as much conflict as they got but they did cast competitive women, around the same age, who have a lack of self awareness and would not hold back on opinions,’ the source explained.
‘This made an explosive season,’ they added, before claiming that the drama had been ‘toned down’ for television due to how heated it got on set.
‘They escalated [Kristy and Brett] to being the series villains and watered down the others so audiences don’t get confused on who is good and who is bad.’
Despite the backlash from viewers, the source said that producers weren’t surprised by what went down.
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 18 'I don't think they quite expected as much conflict as they got but they did cast competitive women, around the same age, who have a lack of self awareness and would not hold back on opinions,' the source explained](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577051-12632507-image-a-42_1697359677046.jpg)
‘I don’t think they quite expected as much conflict as they got but they did cast competitive women, around the same age, who have a lack of self awareness and would not hold back on opinions,’ the source explained
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 20 'This made an explosive season,' they added, before claiming that the drama had been 'toned down' for television due to how heated it got on set](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577043-12632507-image-a-43_1697359680905.jpg)
‘This made an explosive season,’ they added, before claiming that the drama had been ‘toned down’ for television due to how heated it got on set
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 22 'They escalated [Kristy and Brett] to being the series villains and watered down the others so audiences don't get confused on who is good and who is bad' they said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577037-12632507-image-a-44_1697359684430.jpg)
‘They escalated [Kristy and Brett] to being the series villains and watered down the others so audiences don’t get confused on who is good and who is bad’ they said
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 24 Despite the backlash from viewers, the source said that producers weren't surprised by what went down](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577033-12632507-image-a-45_1697359688474.jpg)
Despite the backlash from viewers, the source said that producers weren’t surprised by what went down
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 26 'These women are just behaving as usual. They are doing exactly what they were cast to do and that really isn't their fault. If you put all the ingredients into the mix you can hardly get mad when the cake rises,' they said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577031-12632507-image-a-46_1697359691322.jpg)
‘These women are just behaving as usual. They are doing exactly what they were cast to do and that really isn’t their fault. If you put all the ingredients into the mix you can hardly get mad when the cake rises,’ they said
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 28 'Channel Nine would be stupid to pull the show but maybe it is time it gets some fresh eyes on it,' they added](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577045-12632507-image-a-47_1697359698249.jpg)
‘Channel Nine would be stupid to pull the show but maybe it is time it gets some fresh eyes on it,’ they added
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 30 When contacted for comment, a Channel Nine rep dismissed the claims and insisted that there are 'no changes to the production company'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577027-12632507-image-a-51_1697359717809.jpg)
When contacted for comment, a Channel Nine rep dismissed the claims and insisted that there are ‘no changes to the production company’
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 32 The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577017-12632507-image-a-54_1697359734727.jpg)
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block
‘These women are just behaving as usual. They are doing exactly what they were cast to do and that really isn’t their fault. If you put all the ingredients into the mix you can hardly get mad when the cake rises,’ they said.
‘Channel Nine would be stupid to pull the show but maybe it is time it gets some fresh eyes on it,’ they added.
When contacted for comment, a Channel Nine rep dismissed the claims and insisted that there are ‘no changes to the production company’.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has been inundated with complaints about the current season of The Block.
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 34 In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints - the most they've ever received for the renovation series](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577041-12632507-image-a-48_1697359701880.jpg)
In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints – the most they’ve ever received for the renovation series
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 36 A spokesperson from ACMA told The Australian: 'The majority of the inquiries related to allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behaviour between contestants'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577035-12632507-image-a-49_1697359705639.jpg)
A spokesperson from ACMA told The Australian: ‘The majority of the inquiries related to allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behaviour between contestants’
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 38 This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions regarding the heightened drama between contestants during this season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577015-12632507-image-a-50_1697359713765.jpg)
This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions regarding the heightened drama between contestants during this season
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 40 Producers look eager to intensify this drama, especially considering that the homes featured in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577011-12632507-image-a-55_1697359740075.jpg)
Producers look eager to intensify this drama, especially considering that the homes featured in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season
In just one week, ACMA registered a total of 28 complaints – the most they’ve ever received for the renovation series.
A spokesperson from ACMA told The Australian: ‘The majority of the inquiries related to allegations of bullying, harassment and promotion of anti-social behaviour between contestants.’
This comes in the wake of many articles and discussions regarding the heightened drama between contestants during this season.
Producers look eager to intensify this drama, especially considering that the homes featured in this season were smaller compared to those in the 2022 season.
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 42 With the exception of occasional competition from Seven's MKR, this strategy has translated into higher ratings for Nine](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577009-12632507-image-a-56_1697359746838.jpg)
With the exception of occasional competition from Seven’s MKR, this strategy has translated into higher ratings for Nine
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 44 Although this season has dropped a dramatic 20 per cent from last year, it's still one of the highest-rated programs on air right now](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577019-12632507-image-a-57_1697359750138.jpg)
Although this season has dropped a dramatic 20 per cent from last year, it’s still one of the highest-rated programs on air right now
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 46 Michael Healy, Nine's Director of Television, has been unapologetic about the approach, saying that the numbers speak for themselves](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577003-12632507-image-a-58_1697359755389.jpg)
Michael Healy, Nine’s Director of Television, has been unapologetic about the approach, saying that the numbers speak for themselves
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 48 'The Block is an unrivalled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that more than 40% of the country has tuned into this series is a phenomenal achievement' he said](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577001-12632507-image-a-59_1697359758205.jpg)
‘The Block is an unrivalled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that more than 40% of the country has tuned into this series is a phenomenal achievement’ he said
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 50 'We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and look forward to delivering a cracking crescendo to the current season, before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024' he added](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577013-12632507-image-a-60_1697359766942.jpg)
‘We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and look forward to delivering a cracking crescendo to the current season, before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024’ he added
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 52 The mood appeared light during the inspections](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577057-12632507-image-a-61_1697359776011.jpg)
The mood appeared light during the inspections
With the exception of occasional competition from Seven’s MKR, this strategy has translated into higher ratings for Nine.
Although this season has dropped a dramatic 20 per cent from last year, it’s still one of the highest-rated programs on air right now.
Michael Healy, Nine’s Director of Television, has been unapologetic about the approach, saying that the numbers speak for themselves.
‘The Block is an unrivalled powerhouse on Australian television. The fact that more than 40% of the country has tuned into this series is a phenomenal achievement.
‘We never take the loyalty of our viewers for granted and look forward to delivering a cracking crescendo to the current season, before an unprecedented 20th series in 2024.’
![Thousands of The Block Fans Gather on Melbourne's Enchanting Street to Catch a Glimpse of the Blockheads during Open Inspections 54 The contestants hammed around with their young fans](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/10/15/09/76577029-12632507-image-a-62_1697359795599.jpg)
The contestants hammed around with their young fans