What happened to Alaskan Bush People that led to its cancellation?
What happened to Alaskan Bush People? The television series was reportedly cancelled following a lawsuit involving the late Billy Brown's estate and his former business partner, Robert Maughon. But what did the Alaskan Bush People get in trouble for?
Source: Instagram
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Key takeaways
- Alaskan Bush People was reportedly cancelled after 14 seasons due to a $500,000 lawsuit filed against the late Billy Brown's estate.
- The lawsuit stemmed from alleged unpaid earnings from contracts signed in 2009.
- While Discovery has not officially announced the show's cancellation, no new filming has taken place since 2022.
What happened to Alaskan Bush People reality show?
Alaskan Bush People was allegedly put on pause due to a $500,000 legal battle tied to the late Billy Brown. In April 2021, his former business associate, Robert Maughon, filed a breach of contract lawsuit against both Brown's estate and the family's business, Alaskan Wilderness Family Productions.
Billy's wife, Amora "Ami" Brown was named as the defendant in the case. During her testimony, Ami confirmed that the series had run for 14 seasons before the lawsuit.
A deeper look into the lawsuit
Robert Maughon filed the lawsuit against the estate of Billy Brown, claiming the two had entered into a contract back on 6 January 2009. According to Maughon, he invested $20,000 under an agreement that promised him 10% of the income from Billy's published works through Alaska Wilderness Family Productions.
The deal, he said, was set to run for 10 years. However, in court filings, Maughon alleged that Billy "failed to pay" him the agreed earnings over that period.
Robert also stated that a second contract was signed on 25 January 2009, in which he invested an additional $10,000. This time around, he argued, he was meant to receive lifetime returns. Under that agreement, Billy was allegedly to pay Maughon 10% of all gross income generated by Alaska Wilderness Family Productions from Billy's creative work, including books, films, TV shows, and documentaries.
Source: Instagram
Maughon argued that Billy and the company never honoured the lifetime agreement either. He stated that without a full accounting, the total amount owed remains unclear. Still, he estimated that Billy earned around $500,000 per episode of Alaskan Bush People, which aired 10 episodes in its latest season.
Did Alaskan Bush People respond?
In February 2025, Ami Brown, Billy Brown's widow, formally pushed back against the lawsuit. She filed a motion to dismiss the claims made against her and the estate. She argued that she held no personal liability for contracts her late husband signed.
According to court documents, she stated the agreement was made in Alaska, where spouses aren't automatically responsible for each other's debts. Being married to Billy at the time of the alleged contract and his death, she argued, didn't make her financially accountable.
The documents added that there was no evidence suggesting she had entered into the contract jointly, nor that the obligation applied to shared marital property. However, a settlement conference was later scheduled, signalling a possible effort to resolve the dispute outside of court.
How much was Billy Brown's estate worth?
According to court filings from the legal proceedings, Billy Brown’s estate was appraised at $439,000. Most of it is attributed to his four separate parcels of land.
Additionally, financial records showed that his Wells Fargo bank account held a balance of $2,000. Also, his household goods and furniture were valued at $10,000, while his livestock assets were estimated to be worth $12,000.
However, he also had $27,000 in outstanding medical bills. After settling those debts, the estate's net worth came to $412,000.
Is Alaskan Bush People coming back?
Despite rumours, Discovery has not officially confirmed that Alaskan Bush People has been cancelled. In fact, Bear Brown, a star in the show, recently addressed the speculation directly. On 26 March 2025, Bear posted a video on Instagram, telling fans that while the family isn't filming at the moment, the show isn't over.
"They've (Discovery) cancelled plenty of shows, and they don't hesitate to say so," he noted. "But our show has not been cancelled."
FAQS about the cancellation of Alaskan Bush People
- Why was Alaskan Bush People cancelled? Alaskan Bush People was reportedly cancelled after 14 seasons due to a $500,000 legal dispute involving the late Billy Brown's estate and his former business partner, Robert Maughon.
- What did Alaskan Bush People get in trouble for? Alaskan Bush People got in trouble for a legal dispute involving unpaid earnings from Billy Brown's creative work, leading to a $500,000 lawsuit after his death.
- Is Alaskan Bush People coming back? It has not been confirmed whether Alaskan Bush People is coming back.
- How much was Billy Brown's estate worth? Billy Brown's estate was valued at $439,000, including real estate, household items, and livestock.
- How long did the Browns go to jail for? The Browns didn't go to jail. Billy Brown and his son Joshua were placed under house arrest in 2016 for lying about their residency.
- Why is Alaskan Bush People considered controversial? Alaskan Bush People is considered controversial because of accusations of fakery, legal issues involving the family, and debates over how authentically the "bush lifestyle" was portrayed.
- What happened to Brown's family from Alaska? Brown's family from Alaska has faced legal troubles and the death of their patriarch, Billy Brown.
Final word
So, what happened to Alaskan Bush People that led to its uncertain fate? The popular reality series reportedly ended after 14 seasons following a legal battle involving Billy Brown's estate and Robert Maughon. While Discovery has yet to officially confirm a cancellation, court documents and Ami Brown's testimony suggest that filming ceased after the 2022 season.
Tuko.co.ke also published an article about Andor Season 2. The article explores the truth behind cancellation rumours and why the show is ending after just two seasons. It also examines the creative decisions, skyrocketing production costs, and behind-the-scenes challenges that shaped this bold direction.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
