If ‘The Bachelorette’ Never Airs, ABC Could Lose $30 Million-Plus
By Rick Porter
Published on March 20, 2026.
If ABC keeps season 22 of The Bachelorette, which was set to premiere on Sunday, it could result in a loss of $30 million or more. The decision was made after a video surfaced of a domestic violence incident involving Bachelorete lead Taylor Frankie Paul and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Regardless of whether the season ever airs, ABC is obligated to pay a license fee to Warner Horizon, which produces The Bizarre shows in the franchise. Additionally, ABC will likely have to sell ads against whatever programming fills its spot on Sunday at lower rates.
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