An ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C. chose to air a preseason NFL game instead of “The Bachelorette” finale, causing anger and confusion among viewers. Many fans criticized the decision, calling it misogynistic and questioning the relevance of a preseason football game. In the end, Charity Lawson chose Dotun Olubeko and the couple are engaged, with plans for a wedding in the near future.
The Bachelorette finale was not aired in Washington, D.C. due to the decision to broadcast a Washington Commanders preseason game instead, leading to viewer frustration and complaints.
Title: The Bachelorette Finale Controversy: Fans Miss Out as ABC Affiliate Airs NFL Game Instead
Fans of The Bachelorette were left disappointed and frustrated on Monday night as an ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C. made the controversial decision to air a preseason football game instead of the highly-anticipated season 20 finale. Viewers took to social media to express their anger and confusion, criticizing the network for prioritizing an “irrelevant” NFL game over a popular show like The Bachelorette.
The programming change left D.C. fans without cable unable to watch the finale live, as the episode was instead directed to a channel called Charge, accessible only to cable subscribers. Online streaming services like YouTubeTV and Hulu + Live TV were not an option for disappointed viewers. The decision gained attention from media outlets, including The New York Times, which interviewed a frustrated fan who lamented being left in the dark while others had the opportunity to join in the collective experience of watching the finale in real-time.
Adding to the disappointment, the Commanders’ preseason game ended with a victory against the Baltimore Ravens, denying fans even the solace of a team loss. Meanwhile, viewers outside of Washington, D.C. learned that 27-year-old Bachelorette contestant Charity Lawson had chosen Dotun Olubeko as her final pick, following an emotional breakup with Joey Graziadei, who was later announced as the next Bachelor.
During the emotional finale, Charity expressed her deep feelings for Dotun, declaring that she saw him as her future husband without any doubts. Dotun reciprocated her affection, getting down on one knee and proposing, declaring their love to be perfect. In the subsequent “After the Final Rose” special, Charity revealed that the engaged couple hopes to tie the knot soon, emphasizing that they are currently enjoying their life together.
While Charity prepares to embark on a new journey as a contestant on season 32 of Dancing With the Stars alongside Vanderpump Rules’ Ariana Madix, fans in Washington, D.C. are left grappling with the frustration of missing out on the much-anticipated Bachelorette finale due to the programming conflict imposed by the local ABC affiliate.
