'19 Kids and Counting' Revived, News Update: TLC Expected To Bring Series Back in 2016

By Leah Marieann Klett
Duggar Family
''19 Kids and Counting'' was cancelled last May following reports that Josh Duggar had molested five underage girls as a young teen. TLC

The hit series "19 Kids and Counting" is expected to soon make a return to TLC despite the troubles surrounding one of the show's stars, Josh Duggar, according to numerous reports.

As reported by The Gospel Herald, the show was canceled last May after it emerged that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's oldest son had molested five underage girls as a young teen, including several of his sisters.

At the time, multiple advertisers, including Sherwin Williams, CVS pharmacies, Ace Hardware, Crayola, and Party City pulled their support from the show as a result of the revelations.

Just a few months later, Josh, 27, admitted to cheating on his wife, Anna, and struggling with a pornography addiction after it was revealed that he had active accounts on Ashley Madison, a website created to facilitate adulterous affairs.

According to Variety, the executive vice president of TLC, Nancy Daniels, recently revealed how the series coped with the scandals, as "19 Kids and Counting" was the network's highest-rated show at the time of its cancellation.

"Every decision we've made has been done very thoughtfully and very carefully about what is in the best interests of the people involved and the network," she said. "Our first priority is making sure that there's a health and well-being of our families first and foremost. We feature stories of different families with real people and real things happen."

Several months after the cancellation of the show, TLC released three episodes of a spinoff series, "Jill & Jessa: Counting On," which focused on how the sister's lives had changed following the scandals. The follow-up series saw massive success, with the premiere pulling in 2.2 million viewers.

In January, Inquisitr announced that TLC will be bringing back "19 Kids and Counting" to the small screen. The report notes that a TLC camera crew was recently seen with the Duggar family in several locations, including a lumberyard and a thrift store.

A separate report from Hollywood Gossip reveals that the focus of the new season, which is expected to premiere sometime in 2016, will focus primarily on Jim Bob and MIchelle's eldest daughter, Jana Duggar. However, it is unlikely that Josh, who is currently spending time at a faith-based rehab, will appear in the new series.

The Duggars are likely excited to return to TV, as a family source told People Magazine last August that the evangelical Christian family was "heartbroken" after losing their "platform."

"The Duggars want to return to TV because they truly believe it was part of God's plan for them to spread the word about their faith," the source said.

"I think Jim Bob and Michelle honestly did expect people to just move on from this," the source added. "Their thinking is, they put this behind them ages ago, so why wouldn't the rest of the world?"

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo