The Bachelorette Season 9 Premiere Brings in Lowest Ratings Ever

The ABC reality series' season opener brought in 5.8 million viewers and a 1.9 rating, down 27 percent from last year's premiere

The Bachelorette might be feeling scorned. 

The ABC reality hit's season nine premiere, which kicked off Desiree Hartsock's journey for love, brought in series-low ratings, attracting 5.8 million viewers and a 1.9 rating in the adults 14-49 demo, which is down 27 percent from Emily Maynard's season opener last year.

To be fair, Desiree had two factors working against her: She is the first Bachelorette to have to face NBC's reality hit The Voice (which averaged 10.9 million viewers and a 3.1 demo rating) and it was Memorial Day, people!

So how did the season-nine premiere's ratings fare in comparison to other seasons?

Well, season eight was boosted by its lead-in (Dancing With the Stars' finale), and brought in 8.05 million viewers. 

Season seven, which starred Ashley Hebert, kicked off with 9.02 million viewers and Ali Fedotowsky brought in 9.08 million viewers in season six.