AMERICAN Pickers’ ratings crisis has made way for William Shatner’s History Channel show UnXplained to top the standings, as the series has become the network’s most-watched show.
American Pickers starring Mike and Robbie Wolfe, Danielle Colby and Jon “Jersey Jon” Szalay has been struggling with ratings for Season 26.
American Pickers is History Channel’s fourth most-watched show[/caption]
UnXplained has taken over the number-one spot[/caption]
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal History Channel viewers have been tuning into other shows, dropping American Pickers from the standings.
As of the week of October 30, the most-watched show on History Channel is UnXplained.
UnXplained, which is on its seventh season, stars host William Shatner as he explores the world’s “most fascinating, strange and inexplicable mysteries.”
UnXplained saw a 36 percent increase in ratings from the week prior.
Mountain Men came in second place, while Proof is Out There is History Channel’s third most-watched show.
American Pickers is in the fourth spot, with a decrease in ratings of 22 percent.
American Pickers is the 174th most popular show on television.
RATINGS CRISIS
The standings come as ratings have made a drastic drop from Season 25.
The premiere episode on October 9 brought in 565,000 fans as Mike picked through Evel Knievel memorabilia.
The second episode of the season brought in just 463,000 viewers on October 16.
The third episode of Season 26, The Great Razooly, saw a slight surge with 566,000 viewers on October 23.
The DIY Delorean, which aired on October 30, brought in the lowest ratings of the season with just 442,000 viewers.
PAST RATINGS
The ratings for the current season are low compared to Season 25.
Season 25 brought in 723,000 viewers for part one of the premiere and 676,000 for part two.
Episode three had 880,000 viewers tune in.
By the January 24 episode, ratings increased to 948,000 viewers.
The numbers were up and down through most of February, with the lowest on February 14 having 774,000 viewers, and the highest on February 28, with 966,000.
The season finale on March 27 brought in 832,000 viewers.
Wolfe brothers Robbie and Mike in a cast photo for American Pickers[/caption]
MORE PICKERS
Despite the ratings crisis, The U.S. Sun reported in May 2024 that the series has more seasons left in its contract.
“They’re filming for Season 26, and they have signed on for three more years,” the show insider claimed.
Mike revealed earlier this week that he will start filming for the new season soon.
TRADEMARK DRAMA
The U.S. Sun previously reported A&E Television Networks has abandoned a trademark for the series on September 16, 2024.
According to documents obtained from the United States Trademark and Patent Office, the reason for the terminated trademark read, “Abandoned because no Statement of Use or Extension Request timely filed after Notice of Allowance was issued.”
The trademark was filed in September 2022.
The trademark covered, “Paper, namely, envelope paper, envelopes, gift bags, gift boxes, paper gift cards, note pads, occasion cards, social note cards, table napkins of paper, paper table cloths; printed matter, namely, books, magazines, pamphlets, and brochures in the fields of historical items and based on a television series; stationery.
As well as, “Printed materials, namely, series of non-fiction books based on a television series, activity books, novels, graphic novels, picture books, coloring books; writing instruments, pens, pencils, erasers, markers, crayons, highlighter pens, folders, notebooks; paper clips; pencil sharpeners; glue for stationery and household use and bookmarks; calendars; stickers; posters; stencils.”
The trademark also covered, “Bags, namely, hobo bags, sports bags, handbags, clutches, purses, overnight bags, tote bags, gym bags, beach bags, backpacks, carry-on bags, cosmetic bags sold empty; umbrellas; belts, namely, leather shoulder belts.”
Three trademarks for American Pickers are currently active.
One of the trademarks covers games, including puzzles, amusement game machines, video games, toys, model cars and trucks, board games, and more.
The second trademark covers merchandise such as mugs and T-shirts.
The final trademark covers multimedia goods, including DVDs, downloadable webcasts, entertainment services, and more.
MISSING FRANK
When Frank was on the show, ratings were over a million viewers.
Frank last appeared on American Pickers in March 2020.
He took time off to undergo back surgery, but in 2021 Mike revealed he was not returning to the series.
Frank told The U.S. Sun during a 2021 interview that he was feuding with his co-star Mike.
In an interview with People from earlier this month, Mike revealed why Frank did not return to the History Channel series.
He explained how during the pandemic, Frank injured his back while moving items around his Iowa home and underwent surgery.
“With that time off and him having surgery, it was like the perfect storm. He became addicted to opioids, and that’s when everything changed,” Mike said.
Mike said he staged an intervention with Frank’s loved ones.
He claimed Frank continued to struggle with addiction when filming started, as they “fought really hard to get him into rehab” and he “never, ever gave up” on his friend.
Mike claimed production asked Frank for negative drug tests, but he didn’t provide them.
Mike said the network “just finally made the decision.”
A source claimed to The U.S. Sun about how Frank’s substance abuse battle began.
“Because of Frank’s battle with Crohn’s, he was on medication that left his bones weak. When he broke his back, he needed to undergo surgery.
“That’s when he got addicted to pain medication,” the insider claimed.
Crohn’s is a bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract.
The source alleged that Frank “went to rehab twice” to combat his addiction issues.
“He got out, and then he suffered the stroke,” the insider alleged.
In the July 2021 interview with The U.S. Sun, Frank revealed he entered treatment for alcohol abuse at The Abbey Center in Bettendorf, Iowa for 77 days.
He was sober for 11 months at the time of the interview.
Frank Fritz’s Conservatorship
Frank Fritz was placed under a conservatorship in August 2022, just weeks after he suffered a stroke.
- Frank’s conservator is MidWestOne Bank and is in charge of his finances
- The bank agreed to invest Frank’s money and collections to generate income
- The guardian is his good friend Chris Davis
- Chris is responsible for helping Frank manage his Crohn’s disease treatment, go to physical therapy, grocery shop, cook and more day-to-day tasks
- The conservatorship also agreed to help replenish Frank’s Iowa antique store, Frank Fritz Finds
- A wheel-chair ramp and more have been installed in his Iowa home under the conservatorship
HEALTH CRISIS
Frank then suffered a stroke at his Iowa farmhouse in July 2022.
Frank’s friends filed a guardianship and conservatorship for him because his “decision-making capacity” was “so impaired.”
He passed away in hospice two years later on September 30, 2024, at 60 years old.
Despite the firing and feud, Mike and Frank ultimately made up and Mike was by Frank’s side when he passed away in hospice.
Mike on an episode of American Pickers[/caption]
Frank Fritz brought in over a million viewers during his time on American Pickers[/caption]
