THE Kardashians have built a reality TV empire that has survived cheating scandals, messy breakups, family feuds and more – but after two decades on screen, could their reign finally be nearing its end?
The family’s reality TV crown may finally be slipping, as an alleged battle over budgets and dwindling viewership could put their flagship show on borrowed time.
The U.S. Sun can reveal that while Hulu has renewed The Kardashians, which is currently airing Season 8, for a ninth and 10th season – the latter could potentially serve as a farewell to the family’s long-running reality TV run.
“When the time does come to close the chapter on the show, there was chatter of doing a farewell season before pulling the plug altogether,” an insider claimed.
“They don’t want it to just fizzle out. One final bow for reality TV’s royal family which would be a celebration of all the years past and include lesser seen family members like Rob.”
The source stressed that Hulu is still interested in doing business with the family, but claimed the streaming service is increasingly looking toward spinoffs rather than the main show.
“The [viewership] numbers have continued to go down,” the insider spilled.
“There have been clashes with Hulu execs and Kris about the show’s budget. Hulu has been wanting to spend less and Kris doesn’t find that acceptable.
“Even things like music clearance – on past seasons they had Beyonce songs. They no longer get the viewership to justify the budget.
“Hulu is still wanting to do business with the family. But is focused more on spinoffs and their own projects.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out for comment.
The alleged budget disagreements are a significant issue for momager Kris Jenner, who has spent years turning her family’s personal lives into a lucrative entertainment business.
And while the family remains one of the most recognizable names in reality television, Hulu’s promotional push for The Kardashians has appeared less prominent than in previous seasons, raising further questions about where the show fits into the streamer’s plans.
That doesn’t mean the Kardashian-Jenners are running out of things to put on television.
If anything, their entertainment empire is expanding in several different directions.
Kim has moved further into scripted television, with her legal drama All’s Fair, which The U.S. Sun first reported will return for a second season on Hulu on November 4.
The series, created by Ryan Murphy, stars Kim as high-powered divorce attorney Allura Grant alongside Naomi Watts, Niecy Nash, Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close and Teyana Taylor.
Kim is also expanding her producing portfolio beyond her own family. She executive produces Team Moms: Baseball, a Paramount+ reality series that premiered in September and follows ambitious parents whose teenage sons train at an elite baseball academy in Arizona.
Meanwhile, Khloé has branched out with The Girls: A Khloé Kardashian Project, a Hulu reality series centered on her close-knit circle of friends, including Malika Haqq, Khadijah Haqq, Natalie Halcro, Olivia Pierson, Yris Palmer and Nicole Williams English.
The show follows the women as they navigate motherhood, relationships, businesses and friendship, with Khloé serving as an executive producer.
Kylie Jenner is also taking steps into scripted television. She is attached to star in and executive produce Bachelorette Weekend, a Hulu thriller being developed with Kim among its producers.