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    “Bachelor” creator Mike Fleiss exits reality TV franchise

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments1105 Views
    Mike Fleiss appears at the premiere of "The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob Weir" during 2014 Tribeca Film Festival in New York on April 23, 2014. Fleiss, the creator of “The Bachelor,” has exited the reality TV franchise more than two decades after the iconic dating show launched. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    Mike Fleiss, the creator of "The Bachelor," has exited the reality TV franchise more than two decades after the iconic dating show launched.

    His departure was confirmed Tuesday, a day after "The Bachelor" aired its season 27 finale.

    "I want to thank WBTV and ABC for 21 extraordinary years," Fleiss said in a statement. The statement did not include the reason for his exit.

    While Fleiss has been the face of the "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette" and other spinoffs since the shows' inceptions, trade publications report he hasn't led day-to-day operations in around a decade.

    For years, "The Bachelor" and its associated shows have wielded significant cultural influence and stoked controversy all along. In recent years, the show has been beset by waning ratings, competition from newer reality dating shows and a series of scandals — including accusations of racism that ejected longtime host Chris Harrison.

    Fleiss described the show as lightning in a bottle and said the creative team taking over will keep the franchise "bold and moving forward."

    "Let the journey continue," he said.

    Taking the helm as executive producers and showrunners for the franchise are three franchise stalwarts: Claire Freeland, Jason Ehrlich and Bennett Graebner. Freeland is a former showrunner for Canada's version of "The Bachelor" and associated shows, while Ehrlich has served as the showrunner for several seasons of "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor Pad." Graebner has been with the franchise for more than 15 years and was an executive producer of its current offerings — "The Bachelor," "The Bachelorette" and "Bachelor in Paradise."

    The trio had already begun working on the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette," which will be that show's 20th. The new season premieres in June and features Charity Lawson — a fan favorite and the third runner-up of the most recent season of "The Bachelor."

    That season ended Monday with the engagement of lead Zach Shallcross and Kaity Biggar.

    "I wish them a long and happy life together," Fleiss said in his statement.

    Tags:Bennett GraebnerClaire FreelandJason EhrlichMike FleissThe Bachelor



    DirecTV calls off acquisition of rival Dish, possibly ending a yearslong pursuit

    Friday, November 22, 2024
    Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)

    DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.

    The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.

    The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.

    DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.

    "While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.

    The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.

    The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.

    DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More

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