'The Block' accused of stealing ideas from rival show

The Block has been accused of poaching ideas from rival television show The Renovators.

Executives at Channel Nine, which launched the 2012 season of home makeover programme The Block last month, have hit back at reports that they allegedly lifted a challenge from soon-to-be-aired new series The Renovators.

Various sources at The Renovators production company Shine have said that the notion of The Block contestants kicking off the competition by creating rooms in a giant warehouse was directly lifted from their format, as was their decision to air five nights a week.

Shine executive Carl Fennessy told The Daily Telegraph: "We were first to the market with these ideas but we weren't the first to get to air. I'd like to think no-one has taken our ideas, but we initially had a crew of 150 people working on this and it appears aspects have leaked.

"But the scale of our show is so much bigger, more intimate and focuses much more on the quality of workmanship - and hopefully we'll make a big statement when we get to air."

The Block's co-creator and co-executive producer Julian Cress hit back, saying: "To think we would take a tip from a crew member and then change our show after so much planning is ludicrous."

The Block is hosted by Scott Cam and has introduced Shelley Craft to co-ordinate various challenges this year. The Renovators will reportedly feature 26 contestants and will be presented by Brendan Moar. Cam recently said that he is not threatened by the rival show.

It was recently announced that The Block will return for another series next year.