‘Bachelor in Paradise’ season 4: Renewal hopes and expectations for ABC summer hit

While tonight may be the end of “Bachelor in Paradise” season 3, there is one thing we are extremely confident about at present: The show is almost surely going to be coming back for a season 4 on ABC next summer.

There is one thing that networks use as a barometer for such things more so than any other, and that’s ratings. Just in looking at that measure below, there’s almost no question that this show is killing it. The ratings for season 3 may have been lower than “The Bachelor” with Ben Higgins or “The Bachelorette” with JoJo Fletcher, but they are still better than any other original show for the network this summer. It is a reasonably inexpensive show to make since you are largely confined to a resort, and given that these are reality stars seeking romance, there’s no real cash prize beyond what you give them to just show up and spend a few weeks hanging out on a beach.

Once it is confirmed, the fourth season will probably premiere next summer and feature contenders primarily from Nick Viall’s Bachelor season coupled with the upcoming version of “The Bachelorette.” Will there be some returning contestants from this summer? Probably. We’d be happy if Wells Adams has a little bit more time, or if you bring back Daniel Maguire just for the laughs again. We certainly don’t expect Chad Johnson back after his night one meltdown, and the jury’s still out on people like Ashley Iaconetti. While she’s brought a lot of drama to the show, what’s the story to tell at this point?

We’ll certainly have more on season 4 when we roll around to the spring. Update: It was announced tonight that the show is coming back!

For now, head over here to see the potential lineup for “After Paradise” tonight!

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