The world first met the Duggar family when TLC introduced them on their very own show, 17 Kids and Counting back in 2008. The show quickly became one of TLC's most popular offerings, with millions of viewers tuning in each week to see this super size family function.
As Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar continued to add more children to their already large brood, the show changed from 17 Kids and Counting to 18 Kids and Counting to finally 19 Kids and Counting. However, after reports surfaced about eldest son Josh Duggar, TLC decided to take 19 Kids and Counting off the air.
The break wouldn't be long however, as fans still wanted their Duggar fix. So TLC introduced spin off show Counting On, which initially focused on the lives of the Duggar children minus Josh. The show primarily followed the lives of Jill and Jessa as they adjusted to becoming mothers themselves, and Jinger and Joy-Anna as they enjoyed newlywed life and courtship. While Josh was never featured on the show, his wife Anna has made a few appearances and many think she may just be a new addition to the show in coming seasons.
While TLC has had to make a few changes to their Duggar line up thanks to some big Duggar stories, it's clear they large family is still a big ratings draw. While we don't know for sure, we think there are definitely some things the Duggars must continue to do to stay on the network that has made them a household name.
6 Keep Having Babies!
Let's face it, part of the obsession many have with the Duggars and their television show is to see how a family can function with so many kids! Now that the Duggar children have their own spin-off show, Counting On, fans who have watched these kids grow up are loving watching them as they start their own families.
Every time a new Duggar child gets married fans start the countdown predicting when the pregnancy announcement is going come! It's almost like clockwork that a pregnancy announcement will happen within just a few months of a Duggar wedding, and fans simply can't get enough.
5 Keep Walking Down The Aisle
Everybody loves a wedding, and fans of the Duggars love to watch as each Duggar child walks down the aisle. TLC gives fans exactly what they want by covering the courtship, wedding planning and actual wedding as each the Duggar kids grow up before our eyes.
Duggar siblings Josh, Jill, Jessa, Jinger, Joy-Anna, Joseph, Josiah, and most recently John David have all walked down the aisle much to the delight of fans who eagerly place their bets on just how soon that pregnancy announcement will come.
4 Keep It Social
Thanks to social media, fans of the Duggars can follow along with their day to day lives, but only once they're in a relationship. After a Duggar family member has entered in to a courtship they can have social media accounts where they can promote their upcoming wedding and point people to TLC to watch when they're featured on television.
The Duggars who have social media and children often share pictures of their kids and family gatherings for fans, especially when their show is on hiatus. Having a social media presence allows the family to keep people interested in them and is another way for them to promote their show.
3 What's Jana Up To?
It's no secret that eldest sister Jana has many people confused. While most of the Duggar women enter in to courtship and get married while they are still teens, Jana Duggar is still a single woman living at home even though she's 28 years old, and fans can't help but speculate as to why?
In fact it seems the more TLC 'teases' us with news about Jana, the more people want to know about her! One person even commented on a picture of Jana's dog on Instagram posted by sister Jessa that they would love a 'Jana' episode.
"We need an episode on a day in the life of Jana. She's like a ninja... everywhere, quietly working and doing amazing things for everyone. It has been a while since there was a full 'Jana update'."
2 Stir up a little trouble
Although they may be uber religious, the Duggars have had their fair share of controversy over the years. Recently, Joy-Anna Duggar got people talking after she posted a photo of herself on Instagram.
In the picture, Joy-Anna and two of her brothers are seen holding their 'I Voted' stickers after voting early in the mid-term elections. While both brothers are seen holding their stickers between their thumb and forefinger, Joy-Anna is holding hers with her thumb and middle finger! Many people thought the mom of one was sending a hidden message and turned the picture in to a headline, but we're pretty sure she was simply showing off her sticker. Still, all press is good press!
1 But Not Too much
Not all Duggar controversies are as innocent as Joy-Anna's 'did she give us the finger?' voting picture. TLC actually ended up terminating Jill Dillard's husband Derick Dillard after the reality start and Duggar husband made disparaging comments about a fellow TLC star, Jazz Jennings.
Dillard was accused of bullying Jennings, the star of hit TLC show 'I Am Jazz,' by tweeting, "A 'reality' show which follows a non-reality," he wrote, along with comments disparaging her community. TLC later released a statement distancing the network from Dillard.