Why Was “Bringing Up Bates” Canceled? Reasons Behind UPtv’s Decision to Pull the Show

It’s now been four years since UPtv decided to cancel Bringing Up Bates, and fans continue to be curious about what unfolded — and where the family stands today.

When the show debuted in 2015, it showcased Gil Bates and his wife Kelly Jo Bates as they lovingly raised their 19 children “with love, humor, and Christian values,” as stated in the show’s logline.

As time progressed, the family’s size increased, with many of the couple’s children having kids of their own.

Just as fans looked forward to the 11th season of Bringing Up Bates, UPtv dropped a bombshell in January 2022 by announcing its cancellation — despite the fact that the episodes had already been filmed.

Us Weekly confirmed this news, indicating that the network intended to shift its focus to “movies and new scripted series.”

This left both viewers and the Bates family stunned. Nevertheless, the family shared with Us at the time, “God’s timing is always perfect,” expressing their “eternal gratitude” for the journey.

In January 2026, Katie Bates made headlines after it was revealed her husband, Travis Clark, had an affair, reigniting interest in the reality TV family.

Continue reading for insights on the cancellation of Bringing Up Bates and the current status of the family:

When Was ‘Bringing Up Bates’ Canceled?

In January 2022, UPtv announced that Bringing Up Bates would not be returning for its anticipated 11th season the following month.

How Many Seasons Did ‘Bringing Up Bates’ Run?

Bringing Up Bates premiered on UPtv on New Year’s Day in 2015, successfully running for 10 seasons and over 100 episodes. The series concluded with its final episode airing in June 2021.

What Did UPtv Say About ‘Bringing Up Bates’ Cancellation?

“We will not be premiering Bringing Up Bates season 11 on UPtv as planned, as our programming will focus in 2022 on movies and a new scripted series to be announced soon,” stated the network to Us in January 2022. “When we launched Bringing Up Bates, the series focused on parents with 19 kids who were teenagers and young children. The cameras aimed to capture love, laughter, and significant life moments as the family grew. Thank you to Gil and Kelly Jo Bates for welcoming viewers into your family’s home over the past ten seasons.”

The network added: “Thank you to the fans who tuned in every Thursday night to share in the journey. We look forward to continuing to uplift you through our programming in the future.”

Why Was ‘Bringing Up Bates’ Canceled?

While UPtv attributed the cancellation of Bringing Up Bates to shifts in its lineup and programming focus, the timing raised concerns for some fans. This announcement followed just months after Carlin Bates posted and quickly deleted a video in November 2021 that was perceived as racist.

In the video, various family members participated in a game of charades, with one person mimicking holding a gun while another called out, “George Floyd!” as a guess for the clue. After Carlin removed the video, she claimed she did not hear the guess. The footage gained traction on social media, leading to backlash against the family for allegedly making light of Floyd’s murder. (Floyd was killed in May 2020 by an officer who pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck while arresting him for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 at a deli.)

UPtv didn’t comment on the controversy and never confirmed whether it influenced the show’s cancellation.

Did the Bates Family Comment on the Cancellation?

In light of the abrupt cancellation news, the Bates family opted to focus on the positives.

“As the new year begins, our family will encounter numerous changes. One major change is that the network will be producing more scripted family shows and will not be renewing a contract for new Bringing Up Bates episodes,” they shared in a statement to Us. “We recognize that God’s timing is always perfect, and we look forward to what the future holds for our family and the network!”

Reflecting on their decade-long experience with Bringing Up Bates, the family called it “an amazing journey.”

“We never sought or anticipated being on television, but we are deeply grateful to UP for the friendships we have formed,” they continued in their January 2022 statement. “Filming and welcoming viewers into our home has been both fulfilling and challenging, and we can’t express enough our gratitude for the incredible film crew and staff who dedicated their time to making this show possible.”

The Bates family acknowledged that the show’s crew and staff had become part of their family and had a lasting impact on their lives. They added, “We appreciate all the support we’ve received from viewers over the years who reached out with messages or prayers.”

They concluded with a note of their faith, expressing thanks for the experiences they’ve shared and the lessons learned. “We feel extremely blessed to have these memories,” they shared. “We anticipate the next chapters of our lives with exciting new adventures. We promise to keep you posted about our lives moving forward and pray that God will abundantly bless each of you. Our greatest hope is that we all strive to learn more about God and grow in His grace.”

Where Is the Bates Family Now?

In January 2026, Gil and Kelly Jo Bates announced on Instagram the arrival of their 38th grandchild. Grandson Theodore was born to their son, fourth oldest, Lawson Bates, and his wife, Tiffany Espensen. (The couple also has a son named Will.)

The couple’s eldest son, Zachary Bates, along with his wife Whitney Perkins, has five children, and they announced in the fall of 2025 that they were expecting baby No. 6.

Their second child, Michaela Bates, married Brandon Keilen in 2015 and announced in May 2025 that they had become parents to two foster children.

Erin Bates and her husband Chad Paine have seven kids. In September 2025, Erin faced life-threatening complications due to a severe UTI and kidney infection linked to the birth of their youngest, son Henry, but she recovered and returned home the following month.

Nathan Bates married Esther Keyes in 2021, and they now have two children.

Alyssa Bates and her husband John Webster have five daughters, while Tori Bates and her husband Bobby Smith have five sons and are expecting their sixth in March 2026.

Trace Bates married Lydia Romeike in 2022 and they now have two children. Meanwhile, Carlin Bates and her husband Evan Stewart have welcomed three children, and Josie Bates shares four kids with her husband Kelton Balka.

Katie Bates and Travis Clark have welcomed two children since their wedding in 2021. In January 2026, Katie shared on social media about experiencing a pregnancy loss. Days later, Travis admitted in an Instagram statement that he had been unfaithful to his wife.

Jackson Bates welcomed his first child with wife Emerson Wells in August 2025.

The youngest Bates siblings — Warden, Isaiah, Addallee, Ellie, Callie, Jud, and Jeb Bates — are all currently single.