HGTV Stars Ben and Erin Napier Reveal They Aren’t ‘Allowed’ to Host ‘Home Town’ Spinoff

Some new rules regarding filming internationally in Canada are preventing Erin and Ben Napier from hosting the new spinoff to their HGTV series, Home Town.

Speaking to Cinemablend in a recent interview, the Mississippi-based couple explained that they will not be the lead hosts of the future spinoff to the series, explaining they are not “legally allowed” to headline the upcoming season of Home Town Takeover.

For those unfamiliar, the new spinoff promises to revitalize a small Canadian town by targeting specific community spaces, businesses and more to give the entire area a little renovated facelift. Obviously, the premise means the Home Town franchise is heading to Canada for the first time ever, which sadly means the normal hosts can’t keep their job.

“Our production company is Canadian. The people who make our show, they’re passionate about this Canadian takeover,” Erin, 40, explained to the outlet. “But, because we are Americans, we are not legally allowed to host the show. We can only be in it as, like, guest stars.”

“Yeah, a Canadian broadcast show has to be hosted by Canadian talent,” Ben, 42, added.

According to People, the Minister of Canadian Heritage submitted new directions for the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission in 2023 designed to promote Canadian creators working in Canadian productions as much as possible.

Fortunately for fans of the franchise, Erin and Ben will still have a presence in the show — and have already passed the baton to the new primary hosts they believe audiences will love.

“We know who it is, and I can say that we really like them,” Ben said, without disclosing the new hosts’ identities. “It’s another husband and wife team.”