ABC stands to lose tens of millions of dollars over scrapping The Bachelorette.
The network has canceled the show’s 22nd season, which has already been filmed and revolves around Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul.
The decision comes with heavy financial repercussions for ABC, unless they can somehow find a way to salvage the season.
Keep reading to find out more…
Sources close to the show have told Variety that the cost includes the licensing fees to Warner Bros. Unscripted TV, marketing dollars, and other losses of revenue.
ABC’s decision came abruptly after a 2023 video was released showing Taylor throwing chairs at her estranged partner Dakota Mortensen, with one of them believed to have accidentally hit her child.
But the show itself is produced by Warner Bros. TV Group, with WB distributing the show internationally. ABC has scrubbed the show and mentions of Taylor from their website, but the season could still end up airing internationally.
“According to insiders, Warner Bros. execs are taking a wait-and-see approach to what is happening, while staying in contact with ABC,” shares Variety.
Notably, the studio will get paid regardless of whether the show airs or not.
While the video itself has been a huge shock, it is said that there were concerns about casting Taylor from the beginning, since her history of domestic violence is not new. It was addressed in season 1 of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
“We’re collateral damage, to be honest,” said one source.
Taylor has broken her silence since ABC canceled her season of The Bachelorette. Read what she had to say here.
