American Pickers finale gains 708,000 viewers, plans three more seasons

The conclusion of Season 26 of 'American Pickers' saw a modest boost in viewer numbers despite overall ratings being significantly lower than previous seasons, particularly following the death of co-star Frank Fritz in September. The finale episode on January 15 drew 708,000 viewers, making it the second most-watched of the season, but still far from the show's former glory, where episodes often surpassed 1 million viewers. Mike Wolfe's notable purchase of a rare 1800s slot machine for $15,000, which he plans to restore and list for $20,000, helped attract attention to the finale. Viewer feedback has been mixed, with some expressing disappointment in the show's current quality and suggesting it has lost its charm without Fritz. The season experienced record low viewership, with episodes like the October 30 airing drawing only 442,000 viewers. Fritz's friend Gerry Gendreau remarked on the difficulty of maintaining the show's entertainment value in his absence, likening Wolfe's challenge to that of legendary comedy duos.