My Kitchen Rules, left, vs The Block.
Two of New Zealand's highest-rating reality shows will face off in direct competition when they premiere later this month.
The first season of TV One's My Kitchen Rules New Zealand premieres on August 24, while season three of TV3's The Block begins screening just two days later on August 26.
One-hour episodes of My Kitchen Rules will screen three times a week, on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, while The Block will screen four times, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Both shows are screening in the coveted 7.30pm primetime slot, meaning some serious programming of PVRs - and avoidance of social media - will be required on Tuesdays and Wednesdays by fans wanting to follow both shows.
They're expected to be among the most watched local television shows of the year.
Last year's finale of the second season of The Block set ratings records for TV3 with 1,185,300 viewers tuning in to see the live auction episode.
And the latest season of Australia's My Kitchen Rules has been a ratings winner for TV2, with Throng.co.nz reporting Monday night's episode scoring 491,200 viewers.
My Kitchen Rules New Zealand begins screening on TV One just as TV2's Australian season comes to an end.
Hosted by Auckland-based chefs Ben Bayly and Gareth Stewart, the show pits 10 couples against each other in a series of challenges to decide who the best home cooks are.
Among the duos are Belinda and Neena, self-confessed "modern-day hippies" who refuse to cook with refined sugar, newlyweds Dan and Christie, bogan best friends June and Steph, and corporate dads Aaron and Josh.
The judges told TimeOut they were surprised by the high standard of food coming out of the couples' kitchens, and said previous cooking competitions like MasterChef had raised standards in home kitchens.
Meet the My Kitchen Rules contestants:
Image 1 of 10: Aaron and Heather - Polynesian Cooks.
Meanwhile, four couples will be renovating two pre-war bungalows that have been moved on to a Pt Chev site, stripped back and cut in half.
The couples include Feilding newlyweds Jo and Damo, fashion buyer Alex and her engineer husband Corban, southern duo Quinn and Ben and South Auckland high school sweethearts Maree and James.
As in previous seasons, the winner will be the couple who sell their property for the most money over reserve at a live auction.
* See this weekend's Herald for a full interview with the MKR judges.
Show: My Kitchen Rules
Channel: TV One
Premiere date: August 24
Teams: Ten teams of two
Timeslots: Sunday, 7.30pm Tuesday, 7.30pm Wednesday, 7.30pm
Show: The Block
Channel: TV3
Premiere date: August 26
Teams: Four teams of two
Timeslots: Tuesday, 7:30pm Wednesday, 7:30pm Thursday, 7:30pm Friday, 7:30pm
- TimeOut