The network announced Friday that the Duck Dynasty patriarch will be returning to the show after a brief suspension from filming triggered by anti-gay remarks he made in a GQ interview.
The hit show's fifth season, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 15.
"After discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family," the network said in a statement obtained by E! News.
In reacting to Phil's suspension, the entire family had come together to suggest that they didn't see much of a future for the series without their literal and figurative father.
A&E, meanwhile, notes that Duck Dynasty "is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family...a family that America has come to love. [Indeed—the show's fourth-season premiere's 11.8 million viewers made it the most-watched reality show episode in cable history.]
"As you might have seen in many episodes," the network continued, "they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about. So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.
"We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio." -E! News
The hit show's fifth season, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 15.
"After discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family," the network said in a statement obtained by E! News.
In reacting to Phil's suspension, the entire family had come together to suggest that they didn't see much of a future for the series without their literal and figurative father.
A&E, meanwhile, notes that Duck Dynasty "is not a show about one man's views. It resonates with a large audience because it is a show about family...a family that America has come to love. [Indeed—the show's fourth-season premiere's 11.8 million viewers made it the most-watched reality show episode in cable history.]
"As you might have seen in many episodes," the network continued, "they come together to reflect and pray for unity, tolerance and forgiveness. These are three values that we at A+E Networks also feel strongly about. So after discussions with the Robertson family, as well as consulting with numerous advocacy groups, A&E has decided to resume filming Duck Dynasty later this spring with the entire Robertson family.
"We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance among all people, a message that supports our core values as a company, and the values found in Duck Dynasty. These PSAs will air across our entire portfolio." -E! News