Rob Kardashian And Blac Chyna’s Reality Show The Beginning Of The End For ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’?
Rob Kardashian and fiancée Blac Chyna are media darlings. Fans rallied around the couple when news of their relationship broke in January, 2016. Fan support for Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna increased when they announced their engagement. Blac Chyna’s pregnancy launched a spring of peace for the normally scandal-ridden family. If you are a fan of the Kardashian-Jenner clan, enjoy the last days of the family’s peaceful spring. There may be a battle quietly brewing among the first family of reality television.
According to CNN, Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna have a new project on the horizon. Reportedly, the couple has scored their own reality series on E!. E! has aired Keeping Up with the Kardashians and its many spin-offs since 2007. Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna’s series is tentatively titled Rob & Chyna. The name was likely chosen to differentiate it from the MTV reality series, Rob & Big. Rob & Big starred Rob Dyrdek and his friend and bodyguard, Christopher “Big Black” Boykin.
The decision to give Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna their own reality series was apparently a no-brainer for the powers that be at E! Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming and development at E! explained why he greenlit the series.
“Very few love stories have created as much pop culture buzz as Rob and Chyna’s, and we are thrilled to see Rob in such a happy place… We are excited to share the next chapter in their relationship.”
With so much fan support behind them, a reality series starring Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna seems like a ratings slam dunk. The business boon for Rob and Chyna could spell trouble for the other members of reality television’s first family.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, the family flagship reality series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians might be in trouble. The Season 11 premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashians was the least watched in the history of the show, despite momager Kris Jenner negotiating a multi-million dollar contract for herself and her daughters.
According to Variety, the Season 12 premiere of Keeping Up with the Kardashians did not fare much better. Reportedly, the Season 12 premiere was down ten percent from the last year’s opener.
It is easy to guess why Keeping Up with the Kardashians is seeing diminishing returns. The Kardashian family’s reality series train was fueled by bad relationships. With most of the Kardashian-Jenner sisters happily single, there just isn’t as much television fodder. Kylie Jenner’s scandalous relationship with Tyga was the last spark in the reality series. Kylie and Tyga broke up in May, possibly a casualty to the Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna train. Happiness is great for peace of mind, but not so much for television ratings. Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna could have saved the family flagship show, but it looks like they have other plans.
According to Radar Online, the sticking point may have been how much control Kris Jenner has over Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna. Reportedly, the Kardashian-Jenner momager agreed to let Blac Chyna appear on KUwtK. Kris Jenner’s blessing, however, came with limits. First, Kris Jenner had to be involved in the sale of Rob and Chyna’s baby photos. Second, Kris Jenner would get to control how often Chyna participates in the filming of KUwtK.
It seems that Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna took the third option. Rather than let Kris Jenner control their lives, they are starting their own brand. The split leaves the rest of the Kardashian-Jenner clan unable to capitalize on the golden couple.
It won’t happen immediately. In fact, with its current ratings, it might take years, but Rob Kardashian’s final split from his family puts a ticking clock on Keeping Up with the Kardashians. For now, all fans can do is wait and see if Rob & Chyna will dethrone the flagship series.
[Photo by Raoul Gatchalian/AP Images]
