A&E Television Networks aired the American reality TV series Duck Dynasty from 2012 to 2017. The show followed the lives of the Robertson family, who operate a business, Duck Commander.
According to Forbes magazine, Duck Dynasty generated almost $80 million in advertising sales for A&E and $400 million in merchandise sales in 2013 while on the network.
The average viewership for the first five seasons ranged between 2 and 11 million, but the numbers started declining after season 5. This was after Phil, the patriarch of the Robertson family, made some controversial remarks in an interview with GQ.
The Rise of the Duck Dynasty
In 1972, Phil Robertson founded the Duck Commander company. The company sold a line of custom-made duck-hunting calls that quickly became popular among avid hunters because they replicated the sound of a real duck.
He later sold half the company to his son Willie, and together, they made a DVD series about the family’s duck hunts. This led to a show on the Outdoor Channel that eventually culminated in Duck Dynasty on A&E.
Throughout the show, Phil’s Bible-thumping tendencies have been highlighted as the family expressed their Christian beliefs.
Phil’s Interview and the beginning of the end
During an interview, Phil expressed his views on homosexuality that were unwelcome by the A&E Network. He attributed his stand to his Christian values and Bible teachings.
Ratings and viewership started dropping steadily as LGBTQ lobby groups pushed for the show’s cancellation. Sponsors also started pulling out in protest.
Phil was eventually briefly suspended from the show as his remarks soured the family’s relationship with A&E and viewers in general.
Life after the scandal
The Robertson family supported their patriarch’s sentiments despite the losses that followed. In a statement, the family said they would stick by him since he only spoke what was written in the Bible.
Unfortunately, the homophobic comments were not the only controversial remarks Phil made. He was also quoted as having made racial comments that did not settle well with Black people during the GQ interview.
In 2015 and 2016, Phil stated that STDs are punishment for premarital sex. He went ahead and offered a rather unpleasant hypothesis for what he figured atheists should suffer through.
Led by his beliefs against the LGBTQ+ community, he aligned himself with Citizens United to block the transgender bathroom law in North Carolina. These remarks served to decrease the show’s viewership.
When the show aired in its final season, its viewership was down to 1.3 million, compared to the 14 million viewers per week it previously boasted.
The final bow
On March 29, 2017, A&E hosted the final episode of the Duck Dynasty. By this time, the family had ventured into different things, with some members getting spinoffs.
The family also produced several authors, including Phil, who released a memoir of his experiences.
Miss Kay, Phil’s wife, wrote The Women of Duck Commander, highlighting some of Phil’s habits before he got saved.
Was it worth it in the end?
Although the show ended mutually, Phil’s remarks are believed to have significantly contributed to the cancellation.
Despite the reality show’s end, the family has continued to thrive and maintain its popularity. Phil and Kay Robertson make occasional public appearances as the rest of the brood finds their groove.
The family business was not harmed as their core fanbase remained loyal. As much as Phil Robertson’s remarks were scathing, they tapped into ongoing debates about free speech, religious liberty, and political correctness.
These conversations made Duck Dynasty more than just a reality TV show but a symbol for certain cultural conversations.
Depending on your perspective, the end may have been worth it. While the controversy bolstered the Robertson family’s fan support, it also marked the beginning of the end for their TV success.