Ali dealt another blow as ratings for The Bachelorette dive

AFTER a controversial start, Ali Oetjen’s season of The Bachelorette has been dealt another blow.

AFTER a controversial start which outraged fans Ali Oetjen’s season of The Bachelorette has been dealt another blow, debuting to the lowest ratings in the series’ history.

According to figures released overnight, only 631,000 metro viewers tuned in to watch Ali make her debut — well below the audience numbers for other seasons.

The Bachelorette was easily beaten by ratings juggernaut The Block, which raked in a staggering 918,000 viewers in the same timeslot.

Ali’s season hasn’t been a hit with viewers so far

MORE: Ali Oetjen addresses Grant Kemp breakup drama

Last year Sophie Monk smashed records with 952,000 viewers watching as she handed out her first lot of roses.

In 2015, a metro audience of 882,000 tuned in to watch Sam Frost’s first episode in the debut season of The Bachelorette, while Georgia Love scored 655,000 viewers on her first night in 2016.

Ali’s modest debut is even more surprising given Nick Cummins season of The Bachelor finished on a high in the same timeslot the week before.

Sam Frost

Georgia Love

1.24 million metro viewers tuned in to watch Nick dump both Brittany Hockley and Sophie Tieman on Thursday night last week.

Meanwhile, the Honey Badger’s debut episode was the highest rating first episode in Bachelor and Bachelorette history, with 940,000 viewers watching him begin his (unsuccessful) search for love.

Sophie Monk’s search for love was a hit with viewers

Nick’s unsuccessful search for love was a big ratings winner

Ali’s first episode wasn’t without its controversy, with viewers slamming the 30-year-old for making a “transphobic” comment about contestant Bill.

After Bill revealed he had a “confession” to make — that he was born David, not Bill — Ali joked in a piece to camera: “He’s not a woman — tick!”

A Network Ten spokesperson said: “The Bachelorette Australia launch clearly struck a chord with the younger viewers with the show topping the 16-39 and 18-49 audience demos, and coming second in 25 to 54s.

“We also saw great engagement on social with the #BacheloretteAU hashtag trending #1 across Australia. Seven out of 10 trends last night were about The Bachelorette.

“Each of our Bachelorette leads have had their own unique story on their journey to find love and as Ali’s season goes on, she will surprise many.”

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