19 Kids and Counting spin-off series Jill & Jessa: Counting On is reportedly about to get cancelled only a few episodes in its first season. In spite of its high ratings, a new report revealed that more and more companies have decided to pull out their ads from the reality series, as they did not want to be associated with Josh Duggar and his family following the scandal.
In Touch Weekly has recently published a list of the companies who have decided to withdraw their ads in Jill & Jessa: Counting On , including Wrigley, Cici’s Pizza, The UPS Store, and Verizon Wireless, among others.
Many of them insisted that if an ad appeared on the TLC show, it was nothing but an error on the end of the network. They explained that they purposely decided against supporting any show, which starred any of the Duggar family members, particularly Josh Duggar.
“It is never our intent to endorse content that could offend our consumers,” a representative from Wrigley further explained.
Since many of the companies who used to advertise in 19 Kids and Counting were now pulling their ads from Jill & Jessa: Counting On , TLC is reportedly left with no choice but to air promos for their other programs. With no support coming from companies, it comes as no surprise that many insiders are starting to speculate that the spin-off is going to cancelled soon.
Speaking to the publication, media expert David Johnson, CEO of Strategic Visions, pointed out that it will be difficult for TLC to find companies willing to advertise in Jill & Jessa: Counting On following the Josh Duggar scandal. He explained that even if the 19 Kids and Counting spin-off would deliberately leave Josh and Anna’s story out, the viewers will react negatively.
“The Duggars are radioactive right now. People will see that this new show is just a desperate ploy by the Duggars to reclaim the spotlight and hopefully make some dollars off the public.”
As the Examiner pointed out, some of the viewers were still enraged that TLC green lighted another series starring the Duggar family after Josh, himself, admitted that he sexually molested five underage girls , including four of his sisters, when he was younger. The reality star also confessed to cheating on wife Anna Duggar using the Ashley Madison website.
The outlet explained that corporations were under extreme pressure from outraged fans, who believed that TLC was “enabling child abuse” by allowing the Duggar family to capitalize on the sex scandals to get back on air.
“Critics are disgusted that the bible-thumping Duggars hold themselves out as pious Christians advocating family values when Josh molested his own sisters and cheated on his wife with porn stars and prostitutes.”
As they reportedly earned $25,000 to $45,000 per episode of 19 Kids and Counting On, the Duggar family is allegedly “desperate” to make up for lost time, even if it meant milking the scandal.
The possible cancellation of Jill & Jessa: Counting On , drew mixed responses from viewers over at the Hollywood Gossip . While some were definitely relieved that the new reality series starring the Duggar family may eventually get cancelled, some pointed out that it would be unfair to punish Jill and Jessa for Josh’s mistake. They held that viewers should move on, as the family, particularly Anna Duggar, was able to forgive Josh for what he has done.
“Remember — he did these things many years ago. The things he has done more recently are really between him and his wife and family — does not concern us and they are not condoning his bad behaviors but they shouldn’t be judged by them either,” a netizen commented.
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[Image via TLC]