UPLooks like the Duggars have some friendly competition.
America, prepare to get to know Bates family a whole lot better in the new year when their new series, Bringing Up Bates, premieres Jan. 1 on UP. The large and ultra-conservative family, who also have 19 children, from ages 2 to 25, have made frequent appearances on TLC's hit series 19 Kids and Counting in the past, but are now set to shine a light on their unusual lifestyle.
And we've got your exclusive first look at the new promo for Bringing Up Bates, which finds the family attempting to say goodnight to each other. You can only imagine how long this nightly ritual takes in a family this big!
Centering on parents Gil and Kelly Jo as they try to raise their brood, viewers will see the family try to maintain their values and simple rural lifestyle in Tennessee amidst a lot of transitions. To support the family, Gil owns a tree service, which three of his sons, Lawson, Nathan and Trace, help him run.
In addition to their 19 children, Gil and Kelly Jo recently welcomed their first grandchild, Bradley, in October, who is the child of their son Zach and his wife, Whitney. And there's another one on the way, as their 20-year-old daughter, Alyssa, just announced she and her husband, John, are expecting their first child in April 2015.
During the 13-episode season, Bringing Up Bates will also focus on the courtship of Michaella, 24, and her beau Brandon, who will be allowed to visit the family during the holiday season, and will also see Erin, 23, and her husband, Chad, as they face obstacles while trying to start a family. Finally, Tori, 18, will have to manage increased responsibilities within the family.
But could the recent controversy surrounding their family friends the Duggars negatively impact the Bates? An online petition on Change.org urging TLC to take the family's reality show 19 Kids & Counting off the air immediately is gaining momentum after they had been accused of promoting anti-LGBT sentiments.
Bringing Up Bates premieres Jan. 1 at 9 p.m. on UP.