Phil Robertson controversy: Duck Dynasty family considers leaving A & E Networks

After Phil Robertson’s suspension over controversial anti-gay comments in GQ magazine, Duck Dynasty clan is mulling options as Glenn Beck offers a slot on his startup network.

A&E Networks is facing a cold reality in the wake of its decision to indefinitely suspend Phil Robertson.

The Robertson is reportedly mulling ditching the highest-rated series in the network’s history in solidarity with Phil Robertson.

“They’re an extremely tight-knit family and they’re not going to let this get in the way,” a source close to the Robertsons told E! News.

“[Phil] is the reason for their success-they’re not going to abandon him. They’re also not about to let anyone threaten their religious beliefs.”

After praying on it, the Louisiana family united for a thinly-veiled salvo to A&E in its official statement Thursday night: “We are disappointed that Phil has been placed on hiatus for expressing his faith, which is his constitutionally protected right.

“We have had a successful working relationship with A&E but, as a family, we cannot imagine the show going forward without our patriarch at the helm.

“We are in discussions with A&E to see what that means for the future of Duck Dynasty. Again, thank you for your continued support of our family.”

With the specter of defecting advertisers or a boycott, A&E condemned Phil Robertson by putting him on an “indefinite hiatus from filming”.

A&E holds an exclusive rights contract with the Robertsons, but the network may have no choice but to severe ties, especially since neither conservative pundits nor gay rights activists have shown any sign of losing interest in the flap.

Given the success of Duck Dynasty reality show – Season 4 premiere drew a network record 11.8 million viewers – that would be a devastating loss.

But the Robertsons would be highly sought free agents. If nothing else, Glenn Beck offered the family a spot on his fledgling right-wing leaning network, The Blaze.

“[All the other networks] will fold to pressure,” Glenn Beck said on his radio show Thursday.

“They will all fold to money because they are all in over their eyeballs are debt … the only reason why Phil was put on hiatus and not the rest is because it is a money-printing machine.

“May I suggest: Make your stand. You will never have a better chance. And quite honestly, you’re our best shot as people.”