The Bachelors is back on television, perhaps for the final time.
In its 2018 heyday, The Bachelor would draw almost a million metro viewers per episode, but season 11 of the beleaguered franchise premiered on Channel 10 earlier this month to a record low, bringing in just 244,000 viewers.
The network have now dumped eight episodes onto their streaming app 10Play in less than two weeks, indicating they’re keen to move on from the disastrous series.
In another embarrassing blow, the hosts of one of ‘s biggest pop culture podcasts admitted that they had no idea that The Bachelors had even returned to TV.
Zara McDonald, who hosts the Shameless podcast, confessed this week she was stunned to hear an ad on the radio for The Bachelors and assumed the station must’ve been airing an old segment over the holidays.
The latest season of The Bachelors has been a ratings disaster for Channel 10, throwing the future of the franchise in doubt
‘I was like, “I haven’t even heard of this show”,’ she said.
Her co-host Michelle Andrews replied, “No, it’s back. For some reason they’re airing it in December and they’re airing it to a record all-time low ratings. How the mighty have fallen!’
The two women then giggled about not being able to name any of the show’s leads.
‘It’s set in Melbourne this year which feels spectacularly random,’ Michelle added.
Adding insult to injury, other hugely popular pop culture podcasts including Outspoken and Life Uncut, which is hosted by former Bachelor stars Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley, have avoided covering the new season.
Nova’s Back to Reality podcast have also largely shunned it except for an interview with former Bachelorette Brooke Blurton, who complained that the season lacked diversity.
Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich (pictured), who starred on the original season of The Bachelor, launched successful media careers off the back of the show
The Bachelors premiered to 224,000 metro viewers on December 3, losing to both 60 Minutes and even David Attenborough’s Planet Earth III.
That result represents a steep 27 percent decline from the last Bachelor finale, which aired in January.
The new season of The Bachelors is fronted by Luke Bateman, Wesley Senna Cortes, and Ben Waddell.
Despite Channel 10 hyping up the season as ‘the most romantic’ in the history of the franchise, viewers have been scathing on social media platforms like X.
Angry viewers took to X after the premiere to complain about the lacklustre debut.
‘I have never seen three more mediocre men in my whole life,’ wrote one disappointed viewer.
‘How in the Hillsong did Wesley – a guy who’s never had a girlfriend – end up as one of the Bachelors?’ an angry viewer vented.
The new season of The Bachelors is fronted by Luke Bateman, Wesley Senna Cortes, and Ben Waddell
Some suggested Channel 10 should revamp the show to make it more engaging to audiences.
‘The last time I was actually interested in The Bachelor was like 2020. Geez, it’s been a while.’
Despite shocking ratings for its last season, which featured three bachelors instead of one, Channel 10 has decided to make another attempt to revive the flagging franchise.
‘Channel 10 is over the moon with the streaming numbers and the fresh direction the show has taken,’ a source told Daily Mail .
The dating show, known for its cringeworthy moments and rose ceremonies, has managed to survive thanks to its video on demand (VOD) audience, the insider said.
‘They’re incredibly excited to bring it back for another season, proving love conquers all – even low ratings! The Bachelor has been doing surprisingly well on demand, and that’s what really counts in 2023,’ they explained.
A Channel 10 spokesperson said: ‘The Bachelors has a strong audience on 10 Play and the show is well suited to binge viewing.
‘That’s why we’re providing access to this season of The Bachelors on 10 Play before the broadcast on 10 and we look forward to seeing the BVOD audience grow.’
READ MORE: The Bachelors 2023: Meet Ben Waddell, Luke Bateman and Wesley Senna Cortes
