THE TRUTH behind The Bachelorette’s pause revealed as the shocking decision was a ‘big blow’ for show producers, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

Bachelor Nation was stunned after ABC announced last week that The Bachelorette will not be airing this Summer – the first time in 18 years there’s been a hiatus.

While no reason was given for the break, a source has revealed that there are a number of factors that were considered – but declining ratings was allegedly a large factor in the decision.

An insider claimed: “The show not coming back is a big blow for the network.

“It’s a pretty clear indicator things are not where the network wants them to be – they haven’t done this since 2007 and that time was not for the same reasons.

“The truth is, the last season of The Bachelorette had a disappointing decline in ratings. It hit a low amongst the 18-49 demographic which is what everyone at the network focuses on most.

“To not be as strong in that demo, the bread and butter of the franchise was a big, big blow and the final straw for the suits to tell production to ‘take a step back, reassess and we’ll see what the future holds.’”

However, it was emphasized that ratings weren’t the “sole reason” for the break – it was a “number of things” that were taken into consideration.

“Lack of overall interest in the recent casts is a factor too which is reflected in lower social media followers and interactions.

“There’s also been a string of failed engagements and at the end of the day, the show really does want to produce a love story.

“Mix all that with an increase in competition from rival dating shows that pop up more and more. So it’s time to hit the reset button,” the source said.

However, production “absolutely” feels the show will come back in “some way shape or form” – but it “may look different than the past 20 years.”

In terms of what changes will happen, the source said that “no definitive decisions have been made yet.”

The U.S. Sun has reached out to ABC for comment.

The Bachelorette has been suffering in declining ratings in recent seasons – which dropped and reached an all time low in the 18-24 demo ratings during Jenn Tran’s season last year.

Jenn’s season averaged just over 2 million viewers a week, according to Nielsen Data, which is a fall from Charity Lawson’s previous season which was closer to 3 million an episode.

The year before that, viewership steadily dropped week by week during Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia’s season as joint Bachelorettes.

Viewership fell around 3.5 million for each episode that week and although Gabby, 34, has been a modern fan-favorite in the franchise, ratings still continued to decline.

The three seasons mark some of the lowest in terms of ratings the franchise has ever seen.

Bachelorette Leads Seasons 1-21

Season 21 – Jenn Tran

Season 20 – Charity Lawson

Season 19 – Gabby Windey & Rachel Recchia

Season 18 – Michelle Young

Season 17 – Katie Thurston

Season 16 – Clare Crawley / Tayshia Adams

Season 15 – Hannah Brown

Season 14 – Becca Kufrin

Season 13 – Rachel Lindsay

Season 12 – JoJo Fletcher

Season 11 – Kaitlyn Bristowe

Season 10 – Andi Dorfman

Season 9 – Desiree Hartsock

Season 8 – Emily Maynard

Season 7 – Ashley Hebert

Season 6 – Ali Fedotowsky

Season 5 – Jillian Harris

Season 4 – DeAnna Pappas

Season 3 – Jen Schefft

Season 2 – Meredith Phillips

Season 1 – Trista Rehn

It marks a stark contrast compared to the show’s heyday – which often averaged over 8 million viewers.

The show most recently hit a big stride in 2019 when star Hannah Brown led a dramatic, hilarious and often top-rated season.

Each week brought in roughly 6 million viewers and continues to be considered a fan-favorite season.

TELEVISED HEARTBREAK

Additionally, the show has failed to successfully produce as many married couples as it had set out to do.

Out of the 21 seasons of the show, only four couples remain together – JoJo Fletcher and Jordan Rodgers who married in 2022 but engaged in 2016, Desiree Hartsock and Chris Siegfried who wed in 2015 and season 1’s Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter, who got hitched back in 2003.

The only modern season couple who are still together are Charity, 29, and Dotun Olubeko – who are not yet married but are still engaged.

The show received heavy criticism for how it handled Jenn’s breakup last season – including allowing her ex-boyfriend Matt on the show.

ABC was accused of “taking things too far” after “forcing” Jenn to watch her entire proposal with ex Devin Strader in full even though by the time the finale had aired, they broke up after he blindsided her with a phone call and allegedly ghosted her.