Josh Duggar could be dropped from '19 Kids and Counting'

WASHINGTON, May 26 (UPI) -- In order to keep 19 Kids and Counting on the air, TLC is contemplating dropping Josh Duggar from the show amid the molestation scandal.

While the network is considering its options moving forward, since pulling the long running reality show from the air, dropping the eldest Duggar son could be a plausible outcome, TMZ reports.

Since TLC has researched and found that the weddings of Jessa and Jill both produced the highest ratings, Josh's disappearance would not affect the show's viewership. The network is concerned by the potential loss of big advertisers, like it has seen with General Mills.

Along with resigning from his job at the Family Research Council, Josh canceled his appearance at a Christian home schooling convention, E! News reports. The program addressed the incident in a public letter, writting: "While we could fret or argue over what is truth and what is gossip in the recent media reports, we would rather change the focus for a moment to what God has in store for the families that will be arriving on Thursday for Teach Them Diligently in Sandusky, Ohio."

TLC pulled 19 Kids and Counting from the air on May 22 and has not yet finalized the show's future plans or direction.