Alaskan Bush People Not Canceled: Brown Town Update & The Truth About the Show’s Authenticity

Nearly two years after its last episode aired, Alaskan Bush People once again became the subject of speculation among fans — was the long-running Discovery Channel series quietly canceled, or merely paused? In March 2025, Bear Brown finally addressed those questions head-on, putting an end to months of discussion with a clear answer: the show is not canceled.

Premiering on May 6, 2014, the series introduced viewers to Billy and Ami Brown and their seven children as they built a self-reliant life deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Filmed across locations such as Copper Center, Hoonah, and Chichagof Island, Alaskan Bush People showcased the family’s off-the-grid lifestyle — hunting, fishing, and surviving harsh winters in isolation. Over time, the Browns relocated to Washington State, continuing to live off the land while facing new challenges and personal loss. Following patriarch Billy Brown’s passing on February 7, 2021, the show documented how Ami and the children carried forward his legacy while adapting to life beyond Alaska.

Spanning 14 seasons and more than 110 episodes, the series became one of Discovery’s longest-running and most-watched reality programs, earning both loyal supporters and heated debate over its portrayal of bush living. Its blend of rugged wilderness, family bonds, and perseverance made it a signature part of Discovery’s lineup for nearly a decade.

Bear’s announcement arrived at a time when fans had grown increasingly uncertain about the show’s future. With no new episodes since late 2022 and the network remaining quiet, speculation spread across fan forums, Reddit, and entertainment outlets suggesting the series had quietly concluded. The rumors only intensified as Discovery merged with Warner Bros. Discovery, reshuffling several of its long-standing unscripted shows.

In a direct and candid Instagram video shared via his verified account (@bearbrownkingofextreme), Bear clarified that Alaskan Bush People is simply on hiatus, not canceled. He assured fans that while production is paused, the family remains connected with the network — and that their story may one day continue.

Bear also hinted that even without filming, viewers could still keep up with the Browns through social media and other personal projects. In the sections below, we’ll explore what Bear revealed about the show’s status, the fate of the family’s Alaska homestead known as Brown Town, and how Bear’s videos reaffirmed the authenticity of the Browns’ story — emphasizing that their bush life, challenges, and survival efforts were never staged but documented as they truly happened.

“We’re Not Canceled — Just on Hiatus”

Speaking to the camera outside his cabin, Bear began the video by acknowledging the wave of confusion spreading among fans:

“I’ve been reading a lot of stuff saying the show was canceled — that the show’s not coming back. There’s no more Alaskan Bush People. So I wanted to make this video to actually set the record straight.”

He then clarified the current status of the show:

“No, Alaskan Bush People is not canceled. Are we filming right now? No. We’re actually not. The official term for the show is that it is on hiatus.”

Bear explained that the break does not mean the show has ended — rather, it’s a pause in production, something fairly common in television following long seasons or behind-the-scenes changes.

Discovery’s Merger and Production Delays

According to Bear, part of the confusion stems from recent corporate changes affecting Discovery and its programming lineup:

“Discovery went through a large merger — a super big merger — a few years ago, and so there are shows that are, so to speak, still getting their docs in a row. So some shows have been canceled, but Alaskan Bush People has just been put on the back burner.”

He emphasized that Discovery normally announces cancellations publicly, and since there’s been no official announcement, fans should not assume the series has ended:

“Discovery doesn’t really have an issue saying when a show’s canceled. They’ve canceled plenty of shows, and they normally announce it. But our show has not been canceled.”

Reassurance for Longtime Fans

Bear also expressed his gratitude toward fans who have supported the show and the Brown family for over a decade:

“I know a lot of y’all have followed the show and the family for a very long time. It’s much appreciated.”

He noted that the Alaskan Bush People team and network are still in contact, leaving open the possibility of new episodes or related projects in the future. While there’s no confirmed date for production to resume, Bear’s statement makes it clear that the family’s television journey may not be over.

What Happened to Browntown?

In another Instagram video posted in May 2025, Bear responded to a fan question about what became of Browntown—the family’s original homestead in Alaska. He explained that the property had always been under a lease agreement rather than owned outright and that they were still making payments when their mother, Ami Brown, fell seriously ill with cancer. The family had to leave Alaska to seek treatment for her in the lower 48 states, and ultimately, they were unable to continue the lease.

“Browntown was the home we were building up in Alaska. It was meant to be our forever home,” Bear said. “It was a very expensive piece of property, so we were actually leasing it to own. But before we could pay it off completely, Mom got sick with cancer, and we had to move—not just from Brown Town, but from Alaska altogether.”

Bear added that the land reverted to the original owners once the Browns ended the lease. Despite that, many of the original structures, including his childhood treehouse, still remain. “The last time I was there, the main house and my treehouse were still standing,” he noted, though he admitted that five years without maintenance had likely left the structures uninhabitable.

“It’s crazy—it’s been about five years since I’ve been back to Alaska or Brown Town. I want to make a trip back to see what all still stands,” Bear shared.

While the Brown family no longer lives in Alaska, the site remains a meaningful part of their history, symbolizing the early years of the show and their self-reliant lifestyle that captivated audiences worldwide.

Authenticity of Alaskan Bush People

In a separate Instagram video shared on May 3, 2025, Bear took the opportunity to clear up long-standing rumors about the family and the show’s authenticity. Speaking directly to fans, he addressed online claims that Alaskan Bush People was scripted or staged, firmly denying that any part of their story had been fabricated.

“Where to start? I’m not a real Alaskan? Was the show staged? Did we leave Brown Town in a mess? Did construction crews build everything? Are we hated by everyone in Alaska? No, no, no, no,” Bear said. “I was born in Wrangell, Alaska, on June 10, 1987. I didn’t move out of Alaska until I was 30 years old. All of that is public record.”

Bear emphasized that the show’s production crews documented their real lives rather than creating fictional storylines. “Birth records are public,” he explained, adding that the crew only assisted with logistics and filming support in Alaska’s harsh conditions. “If you actually watch the show, it’s not faked at all. We built what you saw.”

He also dismissed the notion that the Browns were disliked by locals, describing it as an internet-fueled misconception:

“No, not true. A few people on the internet were jealous that our family got picked up for a show. But a lot of people I knew in Alaska aren’t even online — they’re living their lives in the bush.”

To illustrate his point, Bear recounted a story about a former neighbor who had publicly questioned the family’s authenticity. “We used to watch his dogs in the winter,” he said, recalling that it was disappointing to see such untrue claims years later. “It’s insane, guys. Life’s too short to dwell on drama.”