Getting on HGTV ain’t what it used to be.

Time was, interior design skill alone would get you a starring role on HGTV.

That was SO…2003.

Now you need design skill plus TV experience.  And charisma.  And the right connections. And the ability to simultaneously work on camera and banter with a homeowner.

Oh, and one thing more: You need an agent.

Welcome to the new world at HGTV, the cable network that annually sends out about 1300 hours of programming to 89 million U.S. households.

To those looking to make it big on the network, be aware that times have changed.

“In the early 2000’s, we’d look for people with design skill, and we’d train them on TV techniques,” recalls Jennifer Davidson, an executive with Pie Town Productions. “Now lots of designers have on-camera experience, and many have agents and managers who we deal with.”

Pie Town is one of several companies that produce programs for HGTV.

“The trend now is to create shows for specific designers,” explains Mary Ellen Iwata, HGTV’s vice president of programming and talent development.

Helping the network find those designers is the mission of talent agencies.

“When we need a designer for a show, we contact agents and post casting calls on various websites,” says Jennifer Darrow, a programming executive at the High Noon Entertainment production company.

Darrow adds that finding the right designers to host the right shows isn’t easy.

“They have to be extremely charasmatic, attractive, and savvy in front of the camera,” she points out.

Is HGTV in your future if you have neither past TV experience nor an agent?

Possibly.

Producers seek design professionals to assist program hosts with projects and shows, both on and off the air.

“If they’ve never been on TV and don’t have a (video) reel to show us, they can send me their bio and photo,” says HGTV’s Iwatta(MIwatta@HGTV.com). “If they have a camera and can put together a demo, they can send that, too.”

Designers looking to deal directly with Pie Town Productions, the primary HGTV program producer, can find casting needs on its website (www.pietown.tv).

They can send their materials to Todd Zipper, Pie Town Productions, 5433 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood, CA. 91607.

To contact High Noon Entertainment, email Jennifer Darrow (JDarrow@highnoonentertainment.com).