We’re finally starting to see the long-term effects of Ellen’s outrageous summer last year, and things aren’t going well for the once beloved daytime talk show host.
Although it marked its highest-rated season opener in four years last September, when everyone listened to her apologies over accusations of bullying and creating a toxic workplace, The Ellen DeGeneres Show has been bleeding viewers since.
Related: Well The Critics Are There And No One Seems To Buy Ellen’s Apology On Air
According to Nielsen data, Ellen’s show has lost over a million viewers since the 18th season premiered, dropping from 2.6 million to 1.5 million.
The New York Times reports:
The show’s loss of over a million viewers translates into a 43% drop, which is a steeper drop than any of its competitors. This televised season, ‘Ellen’, the winner of dozens of Emmys since she debuted in 2003, is no longer in the same league as her traditional rivals like ‘Dr. Phil ‘(3.1 million) and’ Live: With Kelly and Ryan ‘(2.7 million). Now he finds himself uncomfortably close to shows hosted by Maury Povich (1.4million), Kelly Clarkson (1.3million), Rachael Ray (1.2million), Tamron Hall (1.1million) and the former Jerry Springer’s security guard, Steve Wilkos (1.1 million).
To go from reigning queen of daytime talk shows to competing with Jerry Springer’s former bodyguard for viewers in less than a year must have certainly hurt.
Of course, less viewers also means less income. From September to January of the 2019-20 season, Ellen raked in $ 131 million in advertising. Over the same period of the 2020-21 season, the show saw a drop of $ 26 million, bringing in $ 105 million.
Related: Rosie O’Donnell Breaks Her Silence On Ongoing Ellen’s Drama
But it wasn’t just Ellen’s daytime talk show that took a hit. She also hosts the prime-time game of Ellen’s games on NBC, which has seen a 32% drop in viewership this season.
Rumors that Ellen, who is estimated to be worth around $ 370 million, is considering stepping down from her once popular daytime talk show to focus on other projects have been circulating for some time now.
In 2019, she signed a deal with HBO Max to produce four shows for the streaming platform. This is in addition to a multi-year contract she entered into with Discovery to produce documentaries and natural history series.
Graham Gremore is editor and editor at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
