BREAKING NEWS: TLC Halts Production of Jon & Kate Plus 8

Jon and Kate are taking a break in more ways than one.

TLC, the network that produces the Gosselin's reality TV show, Jon & Kate Plus 8, announced on Tuesday that the show is taking a production break.

In a statement to RadarOnline.com, the net spokesperson said, "TLC continues to support the Gosselin family and will work closely with them to determine the best way to continue to tell their story as they navigate through this difficult time.  

"Following a retrospective of Jon and Kate's first 10 years airing on June 29, the show will be on hiatus until Aug 3rd.  During this time the family will take some time off to regroup and then a modified schedule will be in place to support the family's transition."

The decision comes at the heels of the couple's public announcement to separate on Monday night's show. Kate, who filed for divorce Monday afternoon in Montgomery County, PA., had the proceedings sealed.

According to Kate, her husband's activities "left her no choice but to file legal procedures" to protect herself and her children.

A well-placed PA attorney told RadarOnline.com that taking the filing to neighboring Montgomery County as opposed to Berks County where the Gosselins live, was a smart move on Kate's part.  "Judges in Montgomery County have a wide range of discretionary power in sealing high profile cases, especially those that involve children," the attorney said.

Pennsylvania, like California is a "no fault" divorce state, the attorney pointed out, meaning that Kate does not need to present a list of alleged wrong-doings on Jon's part in order to get the divorce granted.  Their property settlement is another matter, however, and could be hard-fought.

It was the network - not the Gosselins -- that chose to temporarily shut down production, a TLC rep confirmed to RadarOnline.com.

(Photo: TLC)