Keeping Up With The Kardashians has 'lowest ratings in three years' as almost HALF A MILLION viewers switch off during season nine premiere

Season nine of Keeping Up With The Kardashians opened up with an explosion of drama.
But it doesn't appear to have been enough to keep viewers tuned into the show as the programme's latest premiere reportedly saw half a million people change channel.
According to ratings obtained by US data-collecting website TV By the Numbers, last Sunday's episode of Keeping Up With The Kardashians attracted 2.56million viewers, according to RadarOnline.com.

Disappointment: Ratings for the season nine premiere of Keeping Up With The Kardashians are down half a million from last year

Sad: Bruce and Kris inform their family of their decision to split in the season nine premiere of KUWTK

But this was down on the season eight premiere, which aired on June 2, 2013 and saw 3.02million tune in.
MailOnline has contacted a representative for E! for comment.
The season nine premiere featured some emotional scenes during which Kris, 58, and Bruce Jenner, 64, finally confirmed their split after Kim Kardashian had called a family meeting.
Speaking to Kris, Bruce said: 'We have been together for 23 years and it seems to be now that we are doing better being apart and seeing each other here and there.

Emotional: Kris had to wipe away her tears during the episode as she and Bruce opened up about their split

Sad scenes: Bruce feels the pain of telling his family about his and Kris' split

'We both have to admit that the energy between us seems to be better when we are apart right now.'
The pair's daughter Kendall Jenner, 18, appeared to take her parents' split the hardest, but Kris was confident the separation would be a positive thing for the family.
Speaking directly to the camera, she said: 'As long as it is a good thing and it is healthy for the family and Bruce is happy, and the kids are happy, then this thing will work out.'

Kris and Bruce Jenner discuss future on KUWTK

Frustration: Khloe told her family she hadn't been speaking to husband Lamar

Support: Khloe leaned on her brother Rob Kardashian to help her deal with her relationship issues

But the drama in the episode did not end there as Khloe Kardashian revealed her own relationship issues with her basketball player husband Lamar Odom meant she did not want to leave the house.
However, it appears fans of the show preferred to tune into much happier goings-on in the season eight premiere.
The opening episode focused on Kim Kardashian's pregnancy news and her relationship with now-fiancé Kanye West.

Eyes down: Kim called a family meeting to discuss Bruce and Kris' future as a couple

Loved up: Kim and Kanye's relationship helped to attract viewers on season eight of Keeping Up With The Kardashians