Below Deck as a franchise has been going through a lot of changes over the last several years, and while some are beneficial, others are pushing the same issues into the spotlight over and over again, causing viewers to become distrustful of the franchise. Throughout Below Deck's history, there have been some storylines that have shown up nearly every season. While the fun, flirty nature of boatmances sees cast continually finding themselves in romantic moments together, it's clear that there are boatmances that viewers are interested while others don't have a ton of viewer to stand behind them.

Below Deck, along with other conventions of the franchise like crew nights out, when things between yachties aren't reciprocal or mutual. There's a lot of difficulty in the way that Below Deck tends to edit their show around boatmances, because it doesn't necessarily show the full picture of what was happening between crew , nor does it give all of the context needed for the audience to judge what's happening successfully. As Below Deck Down Under season 3 suffers from another issue of consent because of boatmances clashing, it's clear that the franchise needs to change.

There are viewers who may begin to actively avoid the shows without some serious change to the way things are managed.

The Below Deck Franchise Has Faced Consent Issues In Multiple Seasons

The Most Recent Is On Below Deck Down Under

While Below Deck Down Under season 3 is the most recent season of the show to bring up consent issues, the franchise has been dealing with the same problem for years now. Below Deck Down Under has been the most notably consistent problem for the franchise, with consent being a problem in this past season as well as the last season. Below Deck Down Under season 2's Luke Jones was fired after trying to crawl into the bed of unconscious stew Margot Sisson, and though this season faired a bit differently, it's a problem.

Below Deck Down Under isn't the only show in the franchise that has been dealing with consent issues over the years, though. Below Deck Sailing Yacht's Gary King, who isn't likely to return for the next season of the series, has been alleged to have sexually assaulted a member of the production staff and is currently in a difficult legal battle. While Below Deck is known for much more than its difficult moments, the consistent complaints surrounding consent are too frequent to ignore.

Below Deck Needs To Address Their Problem Areas

They Need To Figure Out What The Issue Is

Although has other issues throughout each show of the franchise, things have been difficult as they've bumped up against consent problems over and over again. Throughout the show's most recent seasons, consent has likely been the biggest problem, which isn't a good look for the franchise or the network. Below Deck needs to sit down and figure out what's happening aboard the superyachts and sailing yachts they're filming, and figure out what they can do from a casting perspective to change things for the better before their problems grow too large for them to resolve.

Can Below Deck Succeed As A Franchise Without Change?

Things Need An Overhaul

Below Deck as a franchise is one of the most popular on Bravo, and the shows on the air draw millions of viewers over the course of the seasons. Unfortunately, Below Deck viewers are getting fed up with the show consistently avoiding the tough issues they're facing within their casts and crews. While many will likely continue to watch Below Deck whether it changes or not, there are viewers who may begin to actively avoid the shows without some serious change to the way things are managed. Below Deck should embrace change if it's looking to stay on the air.

Source: Below Deck/Instagram

Below Deck

Created by

Mark Cronin, Rebecca Taylor Henning, Doug Henning

First TV Show

Below Deck

Cast

Sandy Yawn

TV Show(s)

Below Deck Sailing Yacht

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