Ex-Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield reveals the REAL reason why The Bachelorette flopped in the ratings this season
Abbie Chatfield has offered her thoughts on why The Bachelorette has been such a ratings flop this season.
Speaking to Hit Hobart’s Jimmy & Nath on Thursday, the 25-year-old took aim at the casting decisions made by producers this year.
‘I think the casting was a bit disappointing considering the lack of diversity,’ she said, adding that she wasn’t watching the show herself.
Reasons: Ex-Bachelor star Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has revealed why The Bachelorette is a ratings flop this season while speaking to Hit Hobart’s Jimmy and Nath on Thursday
Abbie went on to say there was a real desire for a non-white Bachelorette after the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in May.
But Warner Bros. and Channel 10 instead cast two white sisters, Elly and Becky Miles.
‘I mean, no hate towards Elly and Becky, but I think casting should have done something a bit different this year that wasn’t two blonde white sisters with blue eyes,’ Abbie said.
Taking aim: ‘I mean, no hate towards Elly and Becky, but I think casting should have done something a bit different this year that wasn’t two blonde white sisters with blue eyes,’ Abbie said. Pictured: Elly and Becky Miles
The Brisbane native said that despite the poor ratings, she didn’t think The Bachelorette – or The Bachelor, for that matter – was in danger of being cancelled.
‘I think they are cornerstones of Australian TV now,’ Abbie said. ‘I think there will always be an appetite for it.’
She concluded by saying she would ‘never’ agree to be the Bachelorette because she feels strongly that they should cast someone who isn’t white.
Keep going: ‘I think they are cornerstones of Australian TV now,’ Abbie said, when asked if The Bachelorette would get cancelled. ‘I think there will always be an appetite for it’
‘They need to have more diversity,’ Abbie said, resolutely.
‘I would not want another white, blonde hair, blue-eyed woman [to] be the Bachelorette. I would say no as I don’t think it’s fair.’
The Bachelorette has struggled to find an audience this season, with viewers cold on the idea of two sisters finding love.
Ouch: TV Blackbox reported the show had just 464,000 metro viewers last month, and a total of 610,000 nationally. A dismal ratings effort for the usual juggernaut series
The show suffered its worst ratings in history last month, with TV Blackbox reporting that one episode pulled in just 464,000 metro viewers.
The dire figures came after a string of disappointing overnight results, including an underwhelming season premiere.
The Bachelorette finale airs Thursday at 7:30pm on Channel 10
Gimmick: The Bachelorette also failed to deliver big ratings for its premiere in early October, despite revamping the format this season by casting two sisters in the lead role
The first episode attracted the lowest ever premiere ratings in the franchise’s history.
The broadcast was watched by just 628,000 viewers in the five-city metro market, putting it behind several other entertainment programs.
The Bachelorette continues on Channel Ten, Thursday, 7.30pm.
Who will she choose? The Bachelorette continues on Channel Ten, Thursday, 7.30pm