Kim Kardashian has announced that her family’s iconic reality show is over after 14 years on air.
In an Instagram message posted on Tuesday, Kim, 39, wrote: ‘To our amazing fans – It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians.
‘After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years – through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children.
Shock announcement: Kim Kardashian revealed her family has made the ‘difficult decision’ to end Keeping Up With The Kardashians
‘We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way. Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience,’ she wrote.
Kim added: ‘Most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who’ve spent countless hours documenting our lives.
‘Our last season will air early next year in 2021. Without Keeping Up with The Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years.’
‘This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever. With Love and Gratitude, Kim.’
Where it all began: Above is a picture of the first viewing party for Keeping Up with the Kardashians way back in 2007 ahead of it airing on E! for the first time
Family statement: After Kim Kardashian posted, her family members quickly followed suit with a similar statement signed from the whole gang
The E! networks added in a statement, ‘E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family.’
‘Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives.’
‘While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras. It is not our final goodbye yet, we are excited to have the new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians launching on September 17 with the final season airing in 2021.
Poor turn out: In April this year, it was reported that viewership had sunk to 871,000 viewers, making that episode the 4th lowest rated episode ever
The statement concluded: ‘We thank the entire extended family and our production partners, Bunim Murray and Ryan Seacrest Productions for embarking on this global phenomenon together.’
The show had an endless supply of celebrity guest stars over the years, but most notably there were appearances from Hugh Hefner, Mel B, Kobe Bryant, Lindsay Lohan, Serena Williams, and even TV legend Oprah Winfrey.
While the show has undoubtedly had an extraordinary run, its more recent series have suffered poor ratings.
In April this year, it was reported that viewership had sunk to 871,000 viewers, making that episode the 4th lowest rated episode ever.
Stars were born: The show made names out of Kendall and Kylie Jenner who are now huge celebrities in their own right, with Kendall becoming a talented super model and Kylie a make-up mogul
At its peak, KUWTK earned E! its most-watched day ever, when 10.5 million viewers tuned in to watch Kim’s ill-fated wedding to Kris Humphries – the episode, Kim’s Fairytale Wedding: A Kardashian Event – Part 2, aired in 2011.
However, as the viewership has dipped, the family’s social media presence has only grown stronger – which could explain why fans are flocking to their Instagram Stories to get their fix, instead of the television show.
There have been 12 spin-off series on E! including, Kourtney and Khloe Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kourtney and Khloe Take the Hamptons, Khloe and Lamar, Sex with Brody, I Am Cait, DASH Dolls, Life of Kylie, Rob & Chyna, Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian and Flip It Like Disick.
Breaking the news: Kim was the first person to reveal the show’s demise, as she has always been the star of the series