RHONJ ‘in danger’ of cast reboot after ‘catastrophic’ ratings leaves Bravo producers ‘in panic mode’

BRAVO’S decline in ratings have left producers in ‘panic mode’ as some fan-favorite shows are ‘in danger’ of getting a cast reboot, a source exclusively told The U.S. Sun.

Executives at the network are allegedly wanting to shake up, or completely reboot, the cast of The Real Housewives of New Jersey with other shows also in discussions.

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Real Housewives of New Jersey 2023 cast photo pictured left to right: Rachel Fuda, Margaret Josephs, Melissa Gorga, Dolores Catania, Teresa Giudice, Jennifer Aydin and Danielle Cabral[/caption]

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According to Nielsen media data, 1.1m Bravo fans watched the season 12 premiere for RHONJ however, the number sank to 830k for season 14 – nearly a 20% drop in less than two years.

“The ratings decline has been catastrophic. Most shows have been in steady decline but there is hope that things will turn around. 

“On one end, there is a sense of panic within the network but that’s the state of TV right now. It’s not just Bravo, viewership for any linear network is down,” an insider told The U.S. Sun – noting how all of cable television has been deeply impacted by streaming services and modern times. 

“As happy as everyone is with the success of Peacock, that has hurt ratings for Bravo. Peacock really started to take off in 2022 and that’s when a decrease in network viewership and an increase in streaming viewership was really noticed by [Bravo]. 

“It’s difficult to navigate because it’s all the same company, so at the top it’s a win, but they also are two totally different entities. So different people feel different ways about it sucking the traffic. It’s complicated.”

NBCUniversal is the parent company of both Bravo and Peacock.

The source continued: “[Higher ups] at the network are not happy and having constant discussions about the numbers. 

“Then it trickles down to them wanting producers to get creative with adapting to what will keep eyeballs watching, which then results in enormous shifts like we’ve seen with the RHONY reboot and recastings on basically every show. 

“New Jersey is the main point of discussion right now. The OC cast will most likely be shaken up slightly but not completely rebooted. They’re happy overall with the drama those women brought.

“They’re waiting to see how Beverly Hills and Potomac plays out but Jersey and OC are in discussions now the most.”

The insider noted that Bravo is “happy with the Salt Lake City cast” which is currently the “most stable casting-wise of all the shows.”

Regarding who would be replaced on the network, the source claimed: “No one is safe. Any cast member on any franchise could be on the chopping block at any point and they’re not afraid to make the cuts when they need to. 

“If a total overhaul will save the day, that’s what they’ll do but everyone is working overtime to save what’s still good at the network – and there are still shows pulling their weight in ratings. 

“They’ve got a plan and the people there believe in what they’re doing, a lot have been there years so the spirit isn’t lost. 

“There is still so many successful aspects within the company. It’s an uphill battle but they’re fighting.”

Ratings that do not include streaming figures have been dropping for many Bravo shows across the board. 

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RHOC Season 18 cast pictured left to right: Katie Ginella, Gina Kirschenheiter, Heather Dubrow, Shannon Storms Beador, Tamra Judge, Emily Simpson and Jennifer Pedranti[/caption]

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RHOBH season 13 cast left to right: Annemarie Wiley, Erika Jayne, Dorit Kemsley, Kyle Richards, Garcelle Beauvais, Sutton Stracke and Crystal Minkoff[/caption]

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RHOA reunion pictured left to right: Kandi Burruss, Kenya Moore, Drew Sidors, Andy Cohen, Sheree Whitfield, Marlo Hampton and Sanya Richards Ross[/caption]

The RHOA average rating for season 12 – which was filmed less than three years ago – was 1.8m however, this most recent season brought in an average of 816k per week.

For RHONJ, their average in season 12 was over one million per week however, for the most recent season 14, a median of 732 people tuned in.

The average for RHOC’s season 15 on Nielsen was well over one million but for season 18, which is still currently airing, the number dropped to 600k.

However, a source close to the network noted that when the viewership from both Peacock and Bravo are combined, expectations have been exceeded with this season of RHOC being the most-watched in five years.

Shows outside of the Housewives franchise have also been impacted, such as Below Deck.

The yacht-based series averaged over one million last season however, the most recent season brought in less than 830k per week just one year later.

A rep for Bravo declined The U.S. Sun’s request for comment. 

Earlier this week, Bravo boss Andy Cohen seemingly confirmed a cast change was coming to RHONJ. 

After current star Jennifer Aydin, 47, commented on Instagram that she, along with Teresa Giudice and Dolores Catania, were “coming back” to the next season.

However, Andy, 54, furiously responded on his SiriusXM radio show that her claim was not true.  

When told by co-host, John Hill, that Jennifer confirmed she was coming back, Andy exclaimed back: “What?! No!! She confirmed that she’s returning?! No!”

“We’ve made no decisions on ‘The Real Housewives [of New Jersey]. We’ve done absolutely nothing. 

“Well, actually, we’ve done plenty. But that’s not – um no. I’ll wait until I get a… I wish her well. Wait until Bravo or I says something.”

Fans took that as a sign that things were not looking good for Jen, with one writing: “Andy definitely said ‘you did not make the cut. Oh she’s definitely fired now lol.”

For Orange County, controversial returning cast member Alexis Bellino, 47, is reportedly on the chopping block and likely not to return next season.

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Andy Cohen interviews Sutton Stracke at the RHOBH reunion[/caption]

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BravoCon Live with Andy Cohen! Dynamic Duos from Paris Theater in Las Vegas, NV on Saturday, November 4, 2023[/caption]