After averaging a 0.8 household rating, CBS Television Distribution has cancelled the home improvement syndicated series Bob Vila. This ends a 28-year run for host and renovation expert Bob Vila.
Vila started hosting PBS’ This Old House series in 1979 after winning the “Heritage House of 1978” award from Better Homes and Gardens. House instructed home viewers on how to perform a variety of home renovations. Vila left the series in 1989, reportedly because of his involvement in outside endorsements of building equipment. Soonafter, Vila became a spokesman for Sears and began hosting Bob Vila’s Home Again in syndication. That series was renamed as simply Bob Vila in 2005.
Bob Vila has been declining in the ratings for many years, due in part to having to compete with earlier incarnations of Vila’s shows. There has been a huge growth in home-improvement shows and cable channels like HGTV and the DIY Network in the past several years. Vila hosted the weekly series Restore America from 1999 until 2004 on HGTV. DIY currently airs repeats of both This Old House and Bob Vila’s Home Again.
It’s doubtful that this cancellation will put a damper on Vila’s career. He has authored 11 books which includes a five book series entitled Bob Vila’s Guide to Historic Homes of America. He is also a regular fixture on the Home Shopping Network where he sells his own line of tools. Stay tuned! 
Vila Rocks! He’s got a great mind for what makes a good tv show. If he wants to continue he will. I’ve always admired his pace and conciseness. Keep going Bob…
Well, it’s sad to see Bob Vila’s show cancelled. But he may very well start a new show and get a new syndication deal. I see two reasons for the cancellation. One, the growing number and popularity of what I would call phony home improvement shows. These are the weird decorating shows with those loud personalities–not legit shows like This Old House, Bob Vila, and Hometime. Two, and specifically dealing with Bob Vila, his show has gone downhill a bit the past few years. The projects haven’t been too good–using old shipping containers for the structure of new homes and… Read more »
I totally agree with you. I really admire Bob Vila and Bob Ryley, and I also admire the great work that They have both done. I have learned a whole lot of Home Improvement skills from that show. God Bless Bob Vila and Bob Ryley.
You forgot Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford.
… always remember mr vila – to be optimistic – the glass is always half full – and besides – you have a (gone with the wind) house in pine bluff arkansas – that you can be working on – so be of good cheer – your building fans love you dearly – is our prayer – rsvp please via email – a note of thanks – sincerely – ms e m garrison … cc:emg/wl … sent you a lenghtly email message today – please do not loose it (info@bobvila.com) perhaps you staff members are saving it for you –… Read more »