Season 9 The Bachelorette Overview
Season 9 of The Bachelorette premiered on May 27, 2013, on ABC. The lead was Desiree Hartsock, a bridal stylist from Colorado. The season concluded on August 5, 2013. The winner was Chris Siegfried, a real estate developer from California. The season averaged approximately 7.5 million viewers per episode according to Nielsen ratings reported by Variety.
The season featured 25 contestants, with the final four being Chris Siegfried, Ben Patton, Drake Demond, and Andrew East. The hometown dates took place in Colorado, California, and North Carolina. The final rose ceremony was held in Fantasy Springs, California. The season finale drew 7.8 million viewers, as reported by TV by the Numbers.
Key Cast and Production Details
Desiree Hartsock and the Contestants
Desiree Hartsock was the ninth lead of The Bachelorette. She previously appeared on the 17th season of The Bachelor, where she finished in fourth place. Chris Siegfried, the winner, proposed to her at the end of the season. Ben Patton, a former NFL player, was the runner-up. The cast included professionals from industries such as real estate, finance, and fitness.
Production and Network Performance
The season was produced by Next Entertainment and Warner Horizon Television for ABC. The executive producers included Mike Fleiss, Elan Gale, and Lisa Levinson. The show was filmed in locations including Colorado, San Francisco, and the Bahamas. The season ranked among the top 5 most-watched programs on ABC during its timeslot, according to network ratings data shared by Deadline Hollywood.
Ratings, Winner Outcome, and Legacy
Chris Siegfried and Desiree Hartsock married on August 24, 2015, in Colorado. They have since welcomed children and continue to share their relationship publicly on social media. The season is often cited in discussions about leads who found lasting love on the show. The franchise has since expanded to include spin-offs such as Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelor Winter Games.
The Bachelorette franchise remains a key driver of ABC's summer programming. The show has generated significant advertising revenue, with a 30-second spot costing over $200,000 during peak episodes. The success of season 9 contributed to the renewal of multiple subsequent seasons. For more information on the franchise and its business impact, you can visit the official ABC network page or the Variety article on Bachelor franchise ratings.