Hulu has removed “19 Kids and Counting” from its streaming library in the wake of the child molestation scandal surrounding the reality show, Variety has confirmed.
Episodes were up on the site Wednesday. Although they still surface as search results, the videos cannot be played. A “404” error message notifies visitors that the “page does not exist.”
The women’s group UltraViolet has applauded Hulu for dropping the series.
“We are encouraged to see Hulu taking a stand against child sexual abuse by removing the Duggars reality show from their platform,” co-founder Shaunna Thomas wrote in a statement. “Child sex abusers should not be rewarded with fame or fortune, and certainly not with a television show on TLC. We urge TLC to follow Hulu’s example and cancel this show once and for all— and for Amazon and Google to follow suit be removing back episodes from their platforms. It’s time for TLC to stop glamorizing and promoting a child sex abuser.”
TLC has pulled the show from its schedule, but has not canceled the program yet. In fact, the series may continue without Josh Duggar, the family’s oldest child who admitted to molesting young girls 12 years ago. The series, which premiered in 2008, focuses heavily on Josh and his own family (he’s married with three children). The most recent season ended earlier this month.
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Josh recently stepped down from his job at the Family Research Council, a conservative Washington, D.C.-based Christian lobbying organization.
Advertiser support for the program is also on shaky ground. General Mills, Choice Hotels Intl., Payless Shoe Source, Ace Hardware, David’s Bridal and Pure Leaf Iced Tea are some of the brands working to keep their ads away from “19 Kids.” Most advertisers have deals with TLC or Discovery Communications-owned networks, rather than specific programs.
