'Duck Dynasty' Hit Series Will End on April 12, 2017 After Mutual Decision by A&E, Robertson Family

By Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor Sunday, November 20, 2016

Duck Dynasty stars Phil Robertson, Si Robertson, Jase Robertson and Willie Robertson. | (Photo: Courtesy of A&E and Howard Books, an Imprint of Simon and Schuster)

The Robertson family and A&E have jointly decided that the "Duck Dynasty" series, one of the biggest hits in the history of cable, will be ending its television run after the 11th season finale.

"After five years, 130 episodes and one of the biggest hits in the history of cable, the Robertson family and A&E jointly decided that Duck Dynasty, the series, will come to an end after this season," the the cable network said after the season premiere last week.

New episodes will run through Jan. 18 and resume on March 1 with seven more episodes, including the finale on April 12, 2017, according to USA Today, which said a series of holiday specials will still follow.

Before A&E released the statement about the show's end, the Robertson family announced it during Wednesday's episode, calling it a "mutual decision."

The reality television series portrays the lives of the Robertsons, a Louisiana Christian family that became successful from their family-operated business, Duck Commander. They pray at the end of every episode. They also go to church, or school, as the show star Phil Robertson likes to call it.

The show has broken several ratings records on A&E as well as cable television as a whole. The fourth-season premiere drew 11.8 million viewers, becoming the most-watched nonfiction cable series in history.