Full Breakdown
Alison Victoria Explains Her Absence from the Revived “Battle on the Beach”
5/17/2026, 12:41:45 PM
Revival of “Battle on the Beach” and Co-Host Changes
On May 11, 2025 HGTV announced that the seaside design competition series “Battle on the Beach” would return for a fifth season. The revival will feature original co-host Ty Pennington alongside newcomers Mika Kleinschmidt and Sarah Baeumler. Neither Alison Victoria nor former co-host Taniya Nayak were included in the new lineup.
Background: HGTV’s Programming Shifts and the Original Series’ End
The original series ran for four seasons before HGTV discontinued several fan-favorite programs in early 2025. In July 2025, Victoria disclosed on her “Pap Smear” podcast that “Battle on the Beach” had been “canceled,” a statement later clarified by her as a mischaracterization of the network’s decision not to renew the show.
Key Figures Involved
- Alison Victoria – Designer, former co-host, and host of “Sin City Rehab.”
- Taniya Nayak – Former co-host and close friend of Victoria.
- Ty Pennington – Original co-host returning for the revival.
- Mika Kleinschmidt & Sarah Baeumler – New co-hosts announced for the upcoming season.
- HGTV – Network responsible for the cancellation, revival, and co-host selections.
Official Network Response
HGTV issued a press release confirming the series’ return with the new hosting roster. When approached for comment regarding Victoria’s exclusion, an HGTV spokesperson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for clarification.
Victoria’s Account: Podcast Slip and Scheduling Constraints
Victoria attributed her non-invitation primarily to the language she used on her podcast, acknowledging that “canceled” was inaccurate and that she “should’ve said ‘not renewed.’” She also noted that she learned of the revival through Nayak, who told her that “they picked up Battle on the Beach, and neither of us are gonna be on,” prompting Victoria to say she “expected that.” Additionally, Victoria emphasized her current workload, stating she is “working very hard on my show” and that even if she had been asked to return, “there was no way to juggle it.” She added that “part of me hopes that maybe they didn’t ask me back because they knew I didn’t have time.”
Criticism, Speculation, and Gaps in Information
Observers have speculated that Victoria’s misstatement may have influenced the network’s decision, but no official confirmation exists. The lack of a direct response from HGTV leaves the precise rationale for her exclusion unresolved, creating a gap between the network’s public announcement and the internal decision-making process.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I should've said ‘not renewed.' That's the language that I should have used.” — Alison Victoria, Designer and former co-host
- “Now, that word should not have been used,” — Alison Victoria
- “She was like, ‘They picked up Battle on the Beach , and neither of us are gonna be on,' and I looked at her and I just said, ‘I expected that.'” — Alison Victoria, responding to Nayak’s news
- “I'm working very hard on my show, so even let's say I did get asked to be back — which I did not, but let's say I did — I wouldn't have been able to do it because there was no way to juggle it.” — Alison Victoria
- “part of me hopes that maybe they didn't ask me back because they knew I didn't have time.” — Alison Victoria
What’s Next for the Series and Victoria
The revived “Battle on the Beach” is slated to premiere later in 2025 with Pennington, Kleinschmidt, and Baeumler leading the competition. Victoria continues to host “Sin City Rehab” and is developing “Scariest House in America” and “Ugliest House in America,” projects she says will keep her occupied throughout the upcoming season.
