Chris Harrison is speaking out about Warner Bros.' legal challenge to his new dating show, Chris Harrison's The Vow.
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Warner Bros. sent Fox a cease-and-desist letter in September, alleging that The Vow's promotional teaser used imagery and language associated with The Bachelor.
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Fox rejected the claims, arguing Warner Bros. does not own generic rose imagery or the phrase "The Bachelor" when used to describe an unmarried man.
"I don't see them going after the 50, 60, 70 other relationship dating shows that have come on in the time that I was there or since I left," Chris told USA Today in response to the legal drama.
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"There's been one show that they've gone after. Is that a coincidence? You be the judge."
The legal dispute comes as The Vow is set to receive promotional airtime on ABC, where Chris hosted The Bachelor for 25 seasons. Fox Nation plans to run commercials for the show during Grey's Anatomy on ABC stations in nearly a dozen markets during premiere week, according to TMZ.
A new promo released October 22 offers a first look at Jace Cates, the man at the center of the dating series, as he meets 10 women hoping to find love with him.
The preview also features Kylee Russell, who previously competed on The Bachelor Season 27 and Bachelor in Paradise Season 9. She had a headline-making on and off relationship with The Bachelorette 19 alum Aven Jones.
The Vow is set to premiere Wednesday, November 11 on Fox Nation. Additional new episodes of the six-episode series will then be released weekly on Wednesdays, culminating with the season finale on December 9.
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Warner Bros. TV, which produces the ABC franchise, had sent its cease-and-desist letter to Fox on September 18.
Variety obtained a copy of the letter, which accused Fox Nation and Lionsgate of trying to "ride on the coattails" of The Bachelor in its official first promo.
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Warner Bros. TV claimed The Vow's teaser had deliberately called to mind Chris' former series. It opened with the words "Get ready. The Bachelor. The Women. The Drama," before Chris appeared in a tuxedo, dropped a rose and said, "Roses fade. True love lasts forever."
Warner Bros. TV pointed to the red roses in the teaser, calling them one of The Bachelor franchise's most recognizable symbols. The studio also took issue with a mansion in the promotional thumbnail, saying it was meant to evoke the "Bachelor Mansion."
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The studio said it had "no objection to Fox and Lionsgate releasing a dating show hosted by Chris Harrison." Instead, they took issue with the way it was being marketed.
The studio argued that The Vow's promotion relied on The Bachelor franchise instead of selling the new show on its own merits.
But Fox Nation rejected the claims in a September 24 response, according to Variety.
Fox Nation countered that Warner Bros. TV did not own the general use of falling rose petals or the word "bachelor."
Fox Nation said Warner Bros. TV had overlooked the show's larger message: The Vow offers a different approach to dating shows, centered on meaningful relationships, commitment and building a life together.
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Fox News Media Executive Vice President Katherine Moran Meeks also accused Warner Bros. TV of trying "to restrict Fox Nation and Chris Harrison from promoting a competing dating show" and called its actions "malicious and vindictive."
The response ended with a reference to Chris Harrison's The Vow's "Choose Love" catchphrase, urging Warner Bros. TV to drop what Fox Nation described as meritless claims.
Chris Harrison's The Vow will put the potential couples through curated dates and compatibility challenges focused on values, faith, communication, family and plans for the future.
Contestants will be encouraged to leave if they no longer believe their relationship with Jace has a genuine future.
Chris was the longtime host of The Bachelor franchise until he and ABC parted ways over a controversy that unfolded during The Bachelor's 25th season starring Matt James in early 2021.
While Matt's season of The Bachelor was airing on ABC, Chris sparked major backlash when he conducted an Extra interview with the first Black The Bachelorette star, Rachel Lindsay, and defended Season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's racially-ignorant and racially-insensitive actions in her recent past.
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Chris had intended to take a leave of absence and eventually come back to the show, but after multiple Bachelor Nation alums filled in for him as host for Bachelor in Paradise and The Bachelorette, Jesse Palmer officially replaced him in early 2022 ahead of The Bachelor's 26th season starring Clayton Echard.
Chris reportedly received a settlement with ABC to exit The Bachelor franchise for good.
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