The Future of 'The Golden Bachelor': Season 2 and Beyond
The Golden Bachelor is officially back for a second season, which premiered on ABC on Wednesday, September 24, 2025. The current season, starring new lead Mel Owens, a 66-year-old former NFL player and lawyer, is actively airing new episodes, with the finale scheduled for November 12, 2025. The show's future hinges on its ability to maintain viewership amidst recent ratings dips and a successful launch of its sister series, The Golden Bachelorette.
Season 2: The Mel Owens Era
The second season of the senior-focused dating show is currently unfolding, following the highly-rated inaugural run with Gerry Turner in 2023.
The Lead: Mel Owens was announced as the Season 2 lead in April 2025. His journey to find love in his "golden years" has included filming in Los Angeles and Antigua.
The Winner (Spoilers): According to Reality Steve, a reliable spoiler source, Owens is engaged to Peg Munson, a 62-year-old retired firefighter and bomb tech. The outcome of their relationship post-filming is unknown and the live "After the Final Rose" special will provide updates.
Ratings Concerns: While the first season garnered strong viewership (averaging 10.4 million viewers in Live+35 multi-platform viewing), Season 2 has seen a significant drop in ratings, prompting concern among network executives about potential "miscasting" and general interest in the franchise's senior iteration.
Franchise Expansion and Future Prospects
The success of the first season led to immediate expansion of the "Golden" brand.
The Golden Bachelorette: The female-led spin-off was greenlit and its first season, starring Joan Vassos, aired in the fall of 2024. The show proved successful and a second season is possible, with fan favorites from Mel's season, such as Debbie Siebers, being considered as potential leads.
Bachelor in Paradise Crossover: Contestants from both The Golden Bachelor and The Golden Bachelorette have joined the cast of Bachelor in Paradise Season 10, airing in Summer 2025, a move designed to integrate the senior cast into the broader franchise.
International Adaptations: The format has proven popular enough to warrant international versions, with Australian and Dutch iterations announced for 2025.
The future of the main Golden Bachelor series past Season 2 is not officially confirmed, and will likely depend heavily on the performance and reception of the current season. The network is exploring themes of "heart, humor, and aspiration" that resonate with the 50+ audience, suggesting a continued commitment to the mature dating demographic if the ratings stabilize.