Season 18 of The Ellen DeGeneres Show averaged 1.4 million viewers, which was almost half of what it garnered the previous season. But, Ellen said her decision to end the series came after lots of reflection and the desire to be challenged again. She claims the ratings drop was not the reason she chose to end the show.
"I'm a creative person, and when you're a creative person you constantly need to be challenged, which is why I decided to host the Oscars or why I decided to go back to stand-up when I didn't think I would," she said. "I just needed something to challenge me. And as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it's just not a challenge anymore. I need something new to challenge me."