The bearer of the news was none other than Kim Kardashian West, who took to her Instagram to share a statement jointly penned by herself, Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner, and Scott Disick.
The revelation unveiled their collective decision to conclude this extraordinary voyage, accompanied by heartfelt thanks to their unwavering fans who had stood by them through thick and thin.
Yet, beneath this united facade, whispers began to circulate, alleging that certain family members—namely Kim, Kourtney, and Kylie—had contemplated walking away, ultimately leading to the show's cancellation.
While not entirely shocking, given Kourtney's hiatus and the dramatic on-screen feud with her sister, the Kardashians vehemently refuted these claims.
Regardless of the circumstances that culminated in this decision, "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" would bid its final farewell after 2021. At first glance, this verdict might appear baffling and perplexing. After all, it stood as the E! network's flagship show, responsible for catapulting the Kardashian/Jenner dynasty to soaring heights of global fame.
However, as is often the case, closer scrutiny reveals layers of complexity behind the curtain of this reality TV juggernaut's exit in 2021.
The inception of "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" traces back to the visionary Kris Jenner, the family's matriarch, who pitched the concept of a fly-on-the-wall reality show to producer Ryan Seacrest. It was subsequently picked up by NBC Universal's E!.
The year was 2007, and the Kardashian name existed on the fringes of celebrity. Kris Jenner had previously garnered media attention due to the tragic murder of her close friend Nicole Brown Simpson in 1994, as her former husband had been a lawyer on OJ Simpson's defense team. However, it was the frenzy surrounding her daughter Kim Kardashian that served as the launching pad for the well-oiled showbiz machine we know today.
Later that year, following the success of reality formats like "The Simple Life" and "The Osbournes," "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" made its debut.
It quickly ascended to become E!'s highest-rated series in its Sunday-night lineup, an instant sensation. Viewer numbers continued to surge through its second and third seasons, with season four receiving a substantial boost from the televised wedding of Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom. This validated the audience's desire for an insider's view of the family's most significant and intimate moments—a theme that would shape the show's trajectory.
The Kardashians weren't merely delivering eyeballs to E!; the cable show brought forth a plethora of advertising opportunities. Indeed, wherever the family went, significant revenues followed.
Despite spearheading a global phenomenon, recent years witnessed a gradual decline in ratings for "KUWTK." Reports indicated that audience numbers dipped below the million mark in season 18. E! attempted to reinvigorate the show by shifting it from its traditional Sunday time slot to Thursdays—a scheduling adjustment that often raises concerns in the television industry.
It's no secret that viewing habits have evolved across the board in recent years, with streaming services experiencing a surge and media companies launching their own platforms to compete.
The global pandemic is believed to have accelerated some of these trends. According to insiders, "KUWTK" could have endured if not for these shifts, citing changing budgets and evolving viewer preferences.
Moreover, younger audiences are increasingly gravitating toward social media over traditional television—a domain where the Kardashian/Jenners have already cultivated a substantial following.
"[The Kardashians'] relevance transcends TV; it thrives on platforms like Snapchat and social media," affirmed Eunice Shin, a partner at the brand and business consultancy Prophet. "They are quintessential brand marketers, and that's their forte. They no longer depend on television for that."
Initially, the Kardashian clan utilized their TV show as a vehicle to shape their narrative, propelling themselves up the celebrity hierarchy. They could address media scandals through the show, offering their perspective while tapping into the public's appetite for gossip.
However, in later years, social media platforms and 24-hour news websites took center stage. It appeared that the Kardashians struggled to keep pace with their rapidly evolving lives, with the show often airing real-life dramas months after they had unfolded on social media—a likely contributing factor to the show's recent decline in ratings.
Opinions about the Kardashian/Jenners may vary, but their influence on mainstream pop culture over the past 14years is undeniable, extending far beyond their presence in reality television.
That's where it more or less began. Now, as we face the prospect of a programming void without "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" for the first time in over a decade, the durability of their influence will face its ultimate test.
Only time will reveal whether the Kardashian era will wane, or if their celebrity has indeed transcended the confines of our television screens.
