’19 Kids and Counting’ formally canceled by TLC after Josh Duggar revelations

It turns out that this morning is becoming quite a busy one when it comes to TV. Not only are there Emmy nominations, but also confirmation that TLC has formally canceled their one-time hit “19 Kids and Counting” after years on the air. This comes several weeks after the news first broke regarding Josh Duggar molesting family members when he was still a teenager, and also questions as to whether or not his parents Jim Bob and Michelle did not to disclose what was happening.

According to the Associated Press, TLC is partnering with Darkness to Light and RAINN to help raise awareness about child sexual abuse, and as their President Marjorie Kaplan tells the outlet, they wanted to do more than just get rid of a show that was negatively perceived:

“We took it as an opportunity to step further than just ‘How do we protect ourselves?’ and step into ‘How do we protect our audience and protect children?’ Our hope is to do more of that, in a way that’s thoughtful and respectful of the victims of child abuse — in the Duggar family and across America. … The goal is to take what has been a difficult and painful experience, and focus that attention on the really critical issue of child protection and child sexual abuse.”

There is an hour-long documentary on this subject that should air on the network next month.

For those of you who want to put on a tinfoil hat here and start conspiracy theories, the easiest one to make here is that in announcing this news the same day as the Emmys (it seems that this decision has been made for a while), it would get a little less burn in the news. Nor quite sure that’s working.

Do you have any reactions to the cancellations? Share below, and head over here to get some other TV news right to you via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: TLC.)