LOS ANGELES, CA – March 11, 2025 – LAist Studios and American Public Media (APM) today announced the launch of This Old House Radio Hour, an innovative new series from the creators of the beloved television series This Old House, currently available on The Roku Channel and PBS. The radio show is co-produced by LAist Studios,This Old House Productions and Ember20 and distributed to public radio stations nationwide by APM. The hour-long show premieres March 21, and will bring the spirit of home improvement and do-it-yourself culture to radio audiences, inspiring people of all skill levels to take on projects big and small. The Home Depot is the presenting sponsor and launch partner of This Old House Radio Hour and podcast.
This Old House Radio Hour offers listeners a dispatch from the world of home renovation and maker culture, as well as classic “call-in” advice. The show balances practical suggestions with heartfelt storytelling, making it an entertaining must-listen for anyone with a passion for the place they call home. Weekly episodes will be offered to APM’s nationwide network of more than 850 stations and also be available on-demand as a podcast after the radio broadcast. Stations that have signed on include producing station LAist 89.3, the top public radio station in Los Angeles and second-largest market in the U.S.
Jenn Largesse, longtime This Old House personality and editor, will serve as host of This Old House Radio Hour. In addition, episodes will feature fan-favorite talent from This Old House, including General Contractor Zack Dettmore and Plumbing and Heating Expert Richard Trethewey as well as a new generation of craftspeople who have emerged from social media and other non-traditional outlets, blending traditional know-how with fresh, creative perspectives.
“For decades, This Old House has been the most trusted and most authentic source of home improvement information on television. Now, we’re excited to share the expertise and insights of our team with radio listeners as well,” says Chris Wolfe, executive producer of This Old House.
“Southern California is home to every type of dwelling and architecture, and the LAist audience has consistently identified housing issues as a top interest,” says Shana Naomi Krochmal, vice president of LAist Studios. “That was true for Angelenos even before the recent wildfires, and as so many in our community begin the long and difficult process to rebuild and resettle, we hope this show can be a familiar and helpful companion. We’re proud to partner with the experts at This Old House to bring this new show to our listeners at home and those across the country.”
This Old House Radio Hour was created by Ember20’s Jimmy Jellinek who will executive produce along with David Thwaites and Chris Wolfe. Show producers include Matt Bogart and Michelle Lanz with Jeremiah Zimmerman serving as the show’s editor and sound designer.
Recurring segments include:
- Ask This Old House: Have a question about plumbing, electrical work, roofing, or landscaping? This Old House experts will tackle real listener queries, solving household mysteries and offering step-by-step advice.
- My Old House: Prominent figures like American Pickers’ Mike Wolfe, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, musician Rosanne Cash, filmmaker Ken Burns, and actor Alessandro Nivola share heartfelt stories about the homes that shaped their lives.
- Save This Old House: In collaboration with Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein, whose popular Cheap Old Houses social accounts boast over three million combined followers, listeners explore the potential of historic properties — some available for as little as $10 — and debate what it takes to bring them back to life.
- What’s That Sound?: A fun, interactive game where listeners guess the sound of a tool or job site activity for a chance to win prizes.
- A Simple Fix: Quick, simple, and actionable solutions for common household problems such as clogged drains, squeaky hinges and fridge odors.
Since 1979, This Old House has been a fixture on local PBS stations nationwide. Now in its 46th season, current and past episodes of the show are also available for free on The Roku Channel.
ABOUT LAist
LAist (LAist.com) is an award-winning member-supported public media organization. Recognized as a national leader in public service journalism and community engagement, LAist has earned more than 500 journalistic honors since 1999. Its flagship station LAist 89.3 is LA’s #1 NPR affiliate. The network’s five signals (LAist 89.3, LAist 89.1 KUOR-FM, LAist 90.3 KVLA-FM, LAist 89.5 KJAI-FM and LAist 89.9 Santa Barbara) deliver local stories to communities across the region, including a robust slate of signature programs from NPR, APM, the BBC, and PRI. LAist’s reporting reaches more than seven million people per month across broadcast, digital, and social media platforms. Its in-house production arm, LAist Studios, develops and produces signature programming for linear and on-demand, including the weekly newsmagazine “Imperfect Paradise.” Through its live programming and events platform, LAist operates The Crawford, a state-of-the-art convening venue, and produces a range of events and experiences there, and in the communities of Southern California throughout the year.
LAist aims to reflect the diverse and forward-looking ethos of Los Angeles and is committed to serving audiences in Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire, while also creating content that connects with audiences around the world.
ABOUT THE ROKU CHANNEL
Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free ad-supported streaming television on Roku, and features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 on-demand movies and programs, more than 500 live linear television channels, and premium subscription offerings in the U.S. It licenses and distributes content from more than 250 partners and features a growing library of Roku Originals. The Roku Channel is also available in Mexico, Canada, and the U.K.
ABOUT EMBER20
EMBER20 is an award-winning, audio-first creative studio specializing in IP creation and monetization across radio, podcasting, TV, digital media, and branded content. With a deep focus on storytelling and audience engagement, EMBER20 delivers turnkey solutions for brands seeking authentic connections with consumers. Beyond its expertise in the audio space, EMBER20 develops original intellectual property designed for multi-platform expansion, including streaming television, film, experiential activations, and consumer packaged goods. The studio operates at the intersection of innovation and entertainment, crafting compelling narratives that resonate across mediums.
ABOUT AMERICAN PUBLIC MEDIA (APM)
American Public Media® (APM) is the national programming and distribution division of Minnesota Public Radio® and reaches nearly 15 million listeners across 1,000 public radio stations. APM is one of the largest producers and distributors of public radio programming in the world, with a portfolio that includes BBC World Service, Marketplace® and the leading classical music programs in the nation. APM Studios, a division of APM, offers a diverse array of podcasts featuring the best in food, culture, entertainment, business and investigative journalism. For more information on APM, visit americanpublicmedia.org.
Source: Data are copyright Nielsen Audio, Nationwide DMA data, Persons 12+, Fall ‘23 + Spring ‘24.
