‘The Bachelorette’ cancelation could cost ABC tens of millions of dollars: Sources
ABC and Warner Bros. Discovery could stand to lose “a fortune” in marketing dollars and revenue after making the shocking decision to cancel Taylor Frankie Paul‘s upcoming season of The Bachelorette, according to reports.
Disney, which owns ABC, announced it would not be airing Season 22 after TMZ leaked a video of a domestic violence incident between Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen that appeared to show Paul throwing chairs at Mortensen and accidentally hitting her child.
“In light of the newly released video just surfaced today, we have made the decision to not move forward with the new season of ‘The Bachelorette’ at this time, and our focus is on supporting the family,” a Disney Entertainment Television spokesperson said in a statement to DECIDER.
As Variety reports, Warner Bros. Discovery owns The Bachelorette and licenses it to ABC. Warner Bros. Discovery would still be paid licensing fees from ABC whether or not the network broadcasts Paul’s season of The Bachelorette, however, TMZ reports ABC could also lose “a fortune” in marketing dollars if the show doesn’t go to air.

The outlet reports ABC is paid by airlines, hotels and other brands to appear on The Bachelorette, known as “trade outs.” This money could be lost if The Bachelorette Season 22 fails to see the light of day.
Each episode also reportedly costs around $2 million to produce, with an average of nine to 13 episodes each season. TMZ reports the show’s post-production staff will also be laid off.
As previously reported by DECIDER, fans of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have known about the incident captured on video because it was featured in the first season of Paul’s Hulu reality series. But Paul’s season of The Bachelorette was doomed from the start, mired by the controversy that has been following her for years now.
Variety reports Warner Bros. and ABC are “taking a wait-and-see approach” to the season. Some inside sources believe Paul’s season of The Bachelorette may air one day, either on Hulu or on ABC.
But for now, Paul’s future in reality television remains in limbo.