Fans of the long-running reality series Keeping Up with the Kardashians got a big shock yesterday when word came down that the famous Kardashian / Jenner clan would be ending their show after Season 20 airs in 2021. It appeared that the family had simply come to the decision that the time was right to let their popular show go, but now we're hearing rumors that it was actually cancelled because the family wanted too much money let viewers keep on keeping up with them.
Again, right now this is just a rumor because no one at E! or in the family has confirmed this report, but an unnamed source has told OK Magazine that Kris Jenner, Kardashian sisters Khloe and Kim (Kourtney had already decided not to return), and their Jenner half-sisters, Kylie and Kendall, were prepared to come back for more KUWTK past Season 20. But, it's being alleged that Kris balked at the deal that was being offered by the network for another five seasons of Kardashian / Jenner shenanigans.
The last five-season deal which was signed off on by the family reportedly granted them $150 million total, which works out to $30 million for each season. Supposedly, when Kris was in talks recently to renegotiate their contract, she asked for $40 million a season to try and up the family's take to $200 million for five years.
While it makes sense, in general, to try and leverage the massive popularity of the family members and KUWTK to get more cash, the source alleges that those at E! couldn't give the family more for a show which has seen declining ratings, noting that they would not offer that kind of money "for almost half as many viewers," so "it was better for everyone to say goodbye."
When Kris Jenner announced the news that Keeping Up with the Kardashians would be ending next year on Instagram yesterday, she was very gracious, and showed a lot of love and thanks to both the fans who'd kept them on the air and offered support over the years through all of their dramatic ups and downs, as well as producer Ryan Seacrest and those at E!. But, it's not impossible that there was a dust up over money which has now kept the show from continuing.
It was just last summer that another rumor went around saying that the family was allegedly asking for up to $300 million to keep going for another half decade on KUWTK. At the time, it was thought that Kris trying to potentially double the family's payment was based on several factors. These included the increased popularity of Kendall and Kylie, the addition of Kanye West to some of the episodes, not to mention the fact that additional children had been added to the family and would be seen on the show, and Rob Karhashian seemed to be coming around to the idea of appearing on a regular basis again.
At any rate, whether or not money was a deciding factor in the end of Keeping Up with the Kardashians, the show will now leave E! after its 2021 season, though the source noted that Kris Jenner is, reportedly, currently trying to get that much bigger payday by shopping the show elsewhere.
Keeping Up with the Kardashians will be back for Season 19 on on September 17, but for more to watch in the coming weeks, be sure to check out our guide to fall TV!
