Although some fans of The Bachelor TV show on ABC may grumble that they feel the fix is in, people still tune in to watch it in droves. As far as unscripted TV series go, last year it remained the Alphabet Network’s top performer in the demo and trailed after only Dancing With the Stars, in terms of total viewership. Still, its ratings have dropped off over the years, which will eventually take a toll. Is this the year? Will The Bachelor be cancelled or renewed for season 23? Stay tuned.
An ABC dating reality TV show hosted by Chris Harrison, season 22 of The Bachelor features 36-year-old race car driver, Arie Luyendyk Jr., as he meets, courts, and weeds out 29 potential “soul mates” in his quest for “true love.” Luyendyk was previously a runner-up suitor in the eighth season of The Bachelorette, during the summer of 2012, but while Emily Maynard selected Jef Holm, that couple reportedly broke up before the year was out. Whether or not Arie will cross the finish line smelling like a rose remains to be seen. **Status update, below.
The ratings are typically the best indication of a show’s likelihood of staying on the air. The higher the ratings (particularly in the 18-49 demo), the better the chances for survival. This chart will be updated as new ratings data becomes available — typically around 11:30am EST/8:30am PST. Refresh to see the latest.
3/7 update: You can see the rest of the latest night’s ratings.
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For comparisons: The 21st season of The Bachelor on ABC averaged a 2.32 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 7.274 million total viewers (live + same day ratings).
Note: These are the Live + Same Day Ratings which include “live” viewing plus delayed DVR viewing, up until 3am local time that same night. Ratings marked with an “*” are the fast affiliate ratings and will be updated with the Live+SD numbers when they are made available. Typically, networks get paid for C+3 ratings which includes DVR viewing within three days of the original airing when commercials are watched. Those numbers are rarely released to the press.
What do you think? Do you still like The Bachelor TV series on ABC? Should it be cancelled or renewed for a 23rd season?
**3/13/2018 update: The Bachelor has been renewed for season 23 on ABC. Details here.
Love “The Bachelor/Bachelorette and summer/winter versions (which are even better). This year’s Bachelor has not been my favorite, but the show (like its copycat scripted version, “Unreal”) is compelling. It is probably the best of all unscripted shows on the air (excluding documentaries and news, of course).
I love the Bachelor/Bachelorette as do all my baby boomer age friends. My issue is that ABC never varies the show formula to include an older woman version. Does ABC pay attention to the demographics of its viewers for this show? If the female baby boomer age viewer group equals or surpasses your younger viewers, can you imagine the hype & hysteria created by a “Senior Bachelor” season? Its a tough dating world out there & so many beautiful accomplished women out there over 50 !!!
Why do people watch these inane shows?
I absolutely love this season of the bachelor. The show has some very intelligent women on it and Ari is so kind to all of them. I hope he picks the right one for HIM, not us watching! there is no “fix.” They may nudge him at first but nobody would marry someone they hated unless it was for money.