The "Ellen DeGeneres Show" has lost over 1 million viewers since the toxic workplace controversy blew up last year. The massive dip in ratings came after DeGeneres apologized on air in September amid allegations of a hostile work environment and sexual misconduct, according to viewership data.
"I learned that things happened here that never should have happened," DeGeneres said at the time. "I take that very seriously and I want to say I'm so sorry to the people that were affected."
Since then, the talk show has averaged 1.5 million viewers, which is a massive drop from the 2.6 million that tuned in during the same period last year, according to Nielsen data cited by The New York Times. Once a competitor with "Dr. Phil" and "Live: With Kelly and Ryan," the 43% decline now puts Ellen on par with Maury Povich, Kelly Clarkson, and Jerry Springer’s former security guard Steve Wilkos.
There have been reports that DeGeneres has been considering ending her show amid the toxic workplace accusations. In July, a Telepictures insider told Daily Mail that DeGeneres was thinking about shutting down "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in a desperate attempt to "recover her personal brand."
Then in December, it emerged that DeGeneres was losing advertisers and A-list celebrities. The show returned last year with fewer advertisers and sponsors and staff have been forced to recycle old video clips from past seasons as there is less advertising money to produce new content, according to a report by Buzzfeed News.
DeGeneres' talk-show contract runs through next year and it has been confirmed that the show will return in September for a 19th season but its future remains in question.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.