CASHING IN? American Pickers finale ratings revealed in struggling season after Mike Wolfe drops $15k on rare 1800s slot machine

AMERICAN Pickers’ season finale ratings have been revealed after Mike Wolfe dropped a whopping $15,000 on a rare slot machine from the 1800s.

Mike, 60, Robbie Wolfe, Jon “Jersey” Szalay, and Danielle Colby wrapped up the finale episode of Season 26 on January 15.

Mike Wolfe on the season finale of American Pickers

Mike dropped $15,000 on an antique slot machine

The rare machine is from the 1800s

On The Big Mack, Mike traveled solo to a four-generation homestead in Illinois, where he uncovered and paid for various rare antiques.

One of the items was a slot machine from the 1800s so rare, only four were made.

Mike called the piece a “unicorn,” and he sent photos to an expert to find out its value.

Mike offered $14,000 for the slot machine, which he planned to restore and then list for $20,000.

The seller came back with $15,000 and Mike gladly accepted.

The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the January 15 episode was the second highest-rated of the season, with 708,000 viewers.

The highest-rated episode reached 760,000 viewers on December 18, 2024.

Mike checking out more antiques from the episode

RATING CRISIS

Season 26 struggled in ratings, as certain episodes brought in some of the lowest numbers in the show’s history.

On the January 8 episode of American Pickers, 629,000 viewers watched.

This was slightly up from the week prior on January 1, as 595,000 people tuned in.

The December 11 episode had 676,000 viewers, while the December fourth episode had 584,000 watch.

For the November 27th episode, 623,000 viewers tuned in.

The November 20, 2024, episode Surfs, Signs, Savage brought in 521,000 viewers, while the November 13 episode, Picken’ Wall to Wall, had 582,000 fans watch.

The November 6, 2024, episode of Carnival Cashout had 547,000 viewers.

DIY Delorean, which aired on October 30, had the lowest ratings of the season, with just 442,000 viewers.

The third episode of Season 26, The Great Razooly, saw a slight surge with 566,000 viewers on October 23.

The second episode of the season, Wolfemen vs. The Automations, brought in just 463,000 people on October 16.

The premiere episode on October 9 brought in 565,000 fans as Mike picked through Evel Knievel memorabilia.

The ratings for Season 26 are low compared to last season.

One of the highest-rated episodes for Season 25 had 966,000 viewers on February 28, 2024.

Numbers reached the millions when former host Frank Fritz, who passed away on September 30, 2024, was on the show.

Frank last appeared on American Pickers in March 2020.

FAN REACTION

Fans have been calling for the show’s cancellation during Season 26.

“This show needs to go… cancel this show it’s a husk of what it was,” one fan wrote.

Another said, “It was never good. This show ruined the buying/selling market.”

A third asked, “Will American Pickers continue?”

MORE PICKERS

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 at the time.

The show also revealed they will resume filming in February 2025.

“Do you have a unique collection? The Pickers are heading to South Carolina and North Carolina this February, ready to dig through rare, unique, and historically rich treasures,” a Facebook post read on the show’s official page.

“They’re searching for private collections filled with fascinating items and captivating stories. If you or someone you know has a hidden gem waiting to be discovered, let us know, we may just find our next big pick!”

MIKE’S STORE

In addition to the show, Mike owns Antique Archaeology, which has locations in Nashville, Tennessee, and Le Claire, Iowa.

Many of the antiques Mike picks on the show are displayed in his stores.

The U.S. Sun previously reported Mike has stocked his store with new and expensive antiques from $3,500 for an antique coin horse ride to $3,000 for a stock market machine cabinet.

Fan-favorite co-star Frank Fritz passed away in September