After 20 seasons, “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” will be coming to an end with the final season airing in early 2021.
The decision to end the show was made by the Kardashian-Jenner family and announced on Tuesday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians,’” the famous family said in a joint statement, signed by Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Scott Disick.
“After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and several spin-off shows, we’ve decided as a family to end this very special journey. We are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years — through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.”
The family thanked E!, the production team at Bunim/Murray and Ryan Seacrest, who has been an executive producer on the show since the beginning.
E! released an official statement to Variety, regarding the ending of the monumental show that helped define the network as a destination beyond entertainment news. Over the years, with “KUWTK” as their flagship unscripted series, E! transformed into a cabler for hit reality programming, and in more recent years, delved into scripted content, as well.
“E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family,” the network’s statement reads. “Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives. While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras.”
“KUWTK” has been a massive hit globally for the network, which airs repeats of the franchise constantly — and pays a pretty penny for those rights. In 2017, E! inked a mega-deal with the family for a three-year extension, taking the show through 2020, valued at nine figures. At the time, insiders told Variety that the renewal deal was worth “below $100 million,” though other reports stated the deal was worth up to $150 million.
The show premiered in 2007, and turned the Kardashian-Jenner family into international superstars with a multimedia empire complete with clothing lines, cosmetics companies, apps and never-ending tabloid interest in their every move. When the show debuted, Kris Jenner, now known as one of the savviest businesswomen in the industry, was known to the public as the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson attorney Robert Kardashian. Her former spouse Caitlyn Jenner also ended up starring in her own E! spinoff, “I Am Cait,” which documented her transition into a transgender woman.
(Excerpt) Read more in: Variety