A&E is preparing to debut a new reality television series that promises to shift the spotlight in real estate entertainment. On September 14, 2025, the network announced The Real Estate Commission, an eight-episode series that will premiere on October 12. Unlike the glossy, personality-driven shows that have defined the genre for years, this new program will focus on the world of commercial real estate. At its center is Todd Drowlette, a broker from upstate New York who specializes in properties like strip malls, warehouses, and office buildings—assets that may lack the luxury polish of multimillion-dollar homes but play an outsized role in shaping communities and local economies.
The decision to highlight commercial real estate comes at a time when the sector is experiencing enormous change. Warehouses and logistics centers remain in high demand as the backbone of e-commerce, while office markets are still evolving as companies balance remote, hybrid, and in-person work models. Retail centers are being reimagined to adapt to shifting shopping habits and tenant needs. By following a working broker who navigates these challenges, The Real Estate Commission aims to give audiences a window into an industry that is often less visible but deeply impactful.
Producers say the show’s mission is to demystify commercial real estate for general audiences. While many reality real estate programs rely heavily on personality clashes, dramatic negotiations, and glamorous lifestyles, this series emphasizes the substance of the deals themselves. The focus will be on the mechanics of commercial transactions—evaluating properties, handling financing hurdles, negotiating leases, and matching tenants with spaces that can help businesses thrive. By stripping away some of the sensationalism, the series seeks to provide both entertainment and education, appealing not only to viewers who enjoy real estate shows but also to those who want to better understand the business side of the market.
Todd Drowlette’s inclusion as the lead reflects the producers’ desire for authenticity. A veteran in the commercial real estate space, Drowlette has built his career by working on deals that may not grab headlines but which drive local economies. His work in strip malls, office parks, and industrial properties may seem less glamorous than luxury condos or beachfront mansions, but the series portrays them as essential components of everyday life. From the warehouses that support online retail to the office buildings that house local businesses, these properties form the backbone of the communities they serve.
The implications of the show extend beyond television entertainment. Industry experts suggest that heightened exposure for commercial real estate could generate broader interest in education and transparency within the field. Small business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs may begin to see commercial real estate in a new light, prompting curiosity about how to enter the market or expand their knowledge. For technology providers and proptech platforms, this kind of visibility could increase demand for tools that streamline the processes of financing, leasing, and managing commercial properties. The more audiences understand about how deals unfold, the more they may look for user-friendly solutions to track and engage with similar processes themselves.
The series also comes at a moment when real estate is undergoing a cultural shift in how it is portrayed. For years, residential-focused reality shows dominated the conversation, drawing viewers in with aspirational homes and the personal drama of the agents who sell them. By contrast, The Real Estate Commission emphasizes the practical and operational side of real estate, presenting it as both a complex industry and a fascinating human endeavor. For audiences who may have grown weary of the formulaic glamour of traditional real estate shows, this could offer something fresh and substantive.
If successful, the program could pave the way for more shows that explore the less familiar but equally vital sectors of the property market. It could help normalize the idea that real estate television need not be confined to beachfront villas or penthouses but can also highlight the everyday spaces where people shop, work, and live their lives. In doing so, A&E may not only expand the real estate entertainment genre but also deepen public understanding of how communities are shaped through property and development.
