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'The Bachelorette': Viewers threaten to boycott show over 'stupid' move to change the time slot

One of the 'The Bachelorette' viewers posted, 'Whoever approved this... better watch their back'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The next Bachelorette hasn't even given away her first rose yet, and the show is already causing controversy. Charity Lawson, a 27-year-old family therapist, is this season's love seeker. Viewers will get the opportunity to see her on their screens from June 26. However, the show will air one hour late and fans are not happy.

Charity graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, with a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. She first became known to viewers when she was featured on season 27 of 'The Bachelor,' which starred Zach Shallcross. She made it to the final four that season before being ousted after her hometown date. Charity gave a special message to her new followers shortly after her elimination aired.

'The Bachelorette' Season 20 finds new hours on ABC

ABC has announced that the new time is 9/8 central. 'The Bachelorette' has always started one hour early, at 8/7 central. With its new time slot, longer episodes will now run until 11 pm. The show's low numbers are cause for concern, and according to fan comments, shifting it forward by one hour isn't optimal for the target population. As more people between the ages of 21 and 40 become more health-conscious, social behaviors have shifted. When you combine early bedtimes with the Bachelor Nation's usual watch parties and gatherings, the later start time may severely reduce viewership even further, especially among those who have been losing interest.

'Whoever approved this 9pm start time better watch their back'

One user posted, "What? Bachelorette is not on until 9 ET? That sucks. I won't be tuning in. Poor move to change the time slot." Another person chimed in, "9-11pm? Ugh stay at 8, stupid change." One angry user tweeted, "Whoever approved this 9pm start time better watch their back." A fourth user slammed ABC saying, "I WILL be suing ABC and #TheBachelorette for AGEISM, a 9PM start time is unacceptable for geriatric viewers such as myself (age 34) and I won't stand for it!! LAWYER UP, ABC!!" 

One user asked, "Wait. This two-hour show starts at 9 PM?!! Do they not know who their audience is?" Another user noted, "Excuse me, #CLAIMTOFAME IS THE REASON #TheBachelorette IS STARTING AT 9PM NOW??? What the sh*t? I exclusive watched the first 5 minutes of that show just because I didn’t turn off the TV fast enough after Bachelor, I can’t believe it was popular enough to bump Bach." 

'The Bachelorette' Season 20 premieres on June 26. New episodes of the show will air every Monday at 9 pm ET on ABC.