ABC has faced backlash after choosing to air a repeat of American Idol instead of live women's basketball to fill the slot vacated by the cancelled season of The Bachelorette. The network pulled the reality show on Thursday following the emergence of a disturbing video featuring its star, Taylor Frankie Paul, in which she is seen attacking her ex-boyfriend. The clip was used as evidence in a 2023 case where she pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
The cancellation left a two-hour gap on Sunday evening, just days before the season was due to premiere. Fans had hoped ABC would broadcast the women's NCAA Tournament, as Sunday marks the first day of the second round. ABC's sister network ESPN is already scheduled to air a game in the 8pm ET slot, and ABC has previously shown women's March Madness games in prime time.
Last year, second-round games on ABC attracted over one million viewers each, while the championship game drew 8.5 million. In comparison, the previous season of The Bachelorette averaged 2.46 million viewers per episode, with the premiere at 2.8 million. Despite this, ABC opted to rebroadcast the latest episode of American Idol, originally aired on March 16.
The decision sparked anger among basketball fans on social media. One user wrote: 'American Idol rerun feels unnecessary and kinda disappointing.' Another urged: 'ABC put the Women's NCAA Tournament on instead of "The Bachelorette!" Put the women's game on Prime Time!' Others questioned why ABC could not simulcast games as it does with Monday Night Football.
It remains unclear how ABC will fill the Sunday slot in the coming weeks. However, basketball fans can look forward to the Elite Eight round on March 29, which will be broadcast on both ESPN and ABC.
