Neilsen has also reported that the show made $131 million from ads between September 2019 to January 2020. However, this past year (September 2020 to January 2021), that number dropped significantly, down to $105 million.
The Warner Bros. bosses do not seem too concerned though. Warner Bros. executive David McGuire told The New York Times that show “remains one of the top three highest-rated syndicated talk shows this season.”
McGuire also implied that the decline has more to do with coronavirus than the controversy surrounding the show.
McGuire also is optimistic about the show’s future. “While broadcast is down across the board and COVID has been challenging for production, we are looking forward to bringing back our live audiences and a 19th season filled with all of the hilarious and heartwarming moments that have made Ellen one of the longest-running and most successful talk shows in history,” he explained.