Ellen DeGeneres Show counting the cost
Ellen DeGeneres’ talk show has had a massive drop in viewership following 2020’s major workplace scandal.
The Ellen DeGeneres Show’s latest figures have dropped from average of 2.6 million American viewers each episode last year to just 1.5 million viewers as of March 2021.
This means that Live: With Kelly and Ryan (2.7 million) and Dr Phil (2.5 million) are both outperforming what was once the biggest talk show in the world.
Production company Warner Brothers has attempted to downplay the ratings disaster in a statement after it was revealed Ellen’s Game of Games was also suffering.
“While broadcast is down across the board and COVID has been challenging for production, we are looking forward to bringing back our live audiences and a 19th season filled with all of the hilarious and heart-warming moments that have made ‘Ellen’ one of the longest running and most successful talk shows in history,” the company said.
Ellen’s 43 per cent decline is unprecedented.
Warner Brothers underwent a major investigation in June last year following horrific by former staff of sexual misconduct and a poor work environment.
In August, former producer Hedda Muskat told Seven’s Sunrise that she had been “emotionally abused” and “humiliated” by the talk show queen.
Ellen kicked off the show’s latest season in September with an apology.
“I learned that things happen here that never should have happened,” she said.
“I take that very seriously. And I want to say I am so sorry to the people who were affected.”