BUSH BUCKS Alaskan Bush People’s Brown family’s shocking salary revealed before show was quietly canceled amid $500k lawsuit
THE CAST of Alaskan Bush People’s salary has been revealed as the show has been canceled after 14 seasons amid a nasty $500,000 lawsuit.
The U.S. Sun previously reported Alaskan Bush People, which aired on Discovery from 2014 to 2022, has been canceled by Discovery.
This comes as the late Billy Brown’s business partner sued his estate, which is run by his wife Amora “Ami” Brown, for breach of contract in April 2021, two months after the patriarch’s death in February 2021.
The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal the family’s salary has been exposed in the court battle, as the stars were bringing in a hefty paycheck compared to their modest lifestyle.
In the lawsuit, Billy’s business partner Robert Maughon requested documentation regarding the family’s income and contracts with Discovery Channel.
An excerpt from the court papers claim, “The scope of Plaintiff’s damages cannot be known prior to an accounting, but based upon media reports, Billy Bryan Brown was earning Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) per episode on the show Alaskan Bush People.
“The Discovery Network, and the show ran for approximately ten episodes in the current season.”
In Ami’s deposition testimony taken on April 17, 2024, she revealed the cast members were not paid separately by Discovery.
The court documents read, “Testimony describing the arrangement as one ‘family’ contract. Testimony or statements contextualizing this description, including the structure and agreements related to the family contract.”
Ami fought to keep the family’s income and Discovery contracts out of the court battle, as she argued his request for the documentation, “did not expressly request for information or documents as to the Discovery Channel or as to Alaskan Bush People.
“Plaintiff’s claim is as against the Estate of the decedent Billy Bryan Brown d/b/a Alaska Wilderness Family Production, not against Billy Bryan Brown d/b/a Alaskan Bush People, or in any other regard.
Alaskan Bush People canceled after 14 seasons as late star Billy Brown’s business partner sues his estate for $500k
“The contracts at issue in this case contain no mention of the Alaskan Bush People or contract work for the Discovery Channel.”
But the Washington judge ruled in favor of Robert, as the decision read, “Produce copies to Plaintiff of all of the Defendant’s income-related documentation requested and to otherwise respond with such information involving any income (including any income involving the Discovery Channel television show) without reservation.
“Produce copies to Plaintiff of all contracts and other documentation involving the Discovery Channel television network (or any other entity) which concerns the Defendant’s creative works, including namely, the Alaska wilderness family television show which Defendant is known for.”
EXTREME ENDING
The U.S. Sun previously reported the series is no longer filming future episodes.
Other testimony from Ami in April 2024 revealed the show’s current state, as the documents read, “Testimony acknowledging that the show ‘Alaskan Bush People’ ultimately had 14 seasons, with the last season being filmed in 2022.”
Throughout the lawsuit, Alaskan Bush People is referred to in the past tense.
Another example reads in the court documents, “These breaches occurred despite the significant profits generated by [Alaskan Wilderness Family Productions], particularly through the television series ‘Alaskan Bush People’ which was featured on the Discovery Channel network.”
On the Discovery Channel’s media page, Alaskan Bush People is not listed as one of the company’s “properties.”
While the show is listed on the network’s main page, the network hasn’t posted an update on the series and its stars since September 2022.
A rep for Discovery and Ami did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment on the show cancellation.
SHOW LAWSUIT
The lawsuit against Billy Brown’s estate could be a reason for the series ending after 14 successful seasons.
As The U.S. Sun previously reported of the lawsuit, Robert claimed he entered into a contract with Billy on January 6, 2009.
He claimed he invested $20,000 to Billy, who is an author.
The patriarch allegedly agreed to pay him 10 percent of income from the publication and sales of Alaska Wilderness Family Productions derived from books written by the patriarch.
Robert claimed in the court documents, “Billy Bryan Brown failed to pay to Plaintiff Robert Micky Maughon the monies called for in the Ten Year contract.”
He then alleged a second contract was made on January 25, 2009.
This time, he invested $10,000 for a “lifetime.”
Robert claimed Billy agreed to pay him 10 percent “of the gross income of Alaska Wilderness Family Productions from the creative works of Billy Bryan Brown, specifically including books, movies, television, and documentaries.
“Billy Bryan Brown and [the business] have failed to pay to Plaintiff the monies called for in the Lifetime contract.”
In the trial brief filed by Robert in January 2025, he dragged Discovery into the case.
The filing read, “Plaintiff also anticipates issuing a trial subpoena for the appearance and testimony at trial of corporate representative of Discovery Networks regarding financial earnings from and payments related to the ‘Alaskan Bush People’ television program.”
In February 2025, Ami filed a motion to dismiss the claims against her.
A settlement conference has been scheduled for April 25.
FAMILY PROBLEMS
In addition to the lawsuit, the family is also experiencing difficulties that could have made filming challenging.
The U.S. Sun previously reported Noah and his estranged wife Rhain filed a Petition for Order of Protection against his younger sister Merry Christmas Kathryn Raindrop, who goes by Rain, on August 5, 2024, for “protection from someone who has committed unlawful harassment.”
A temporary order was denied without a court hearing because the court ruled there was “no basis” for the protection order.
In the restraining order, Noah revealed there was drama when the family filmed with the network.
On July 19, 2022, Noah claimed, “We were in the elevator and Raindrop said something along the lines of ‘my life would be so much easier if you were dead, if only I wouldn’t get caught, I think that my gun is in my room.’”
The U.S. Sun was unable to contact Rain after making multiple requests for comment.
Noah then announced his separation from his wife Rhain in February 2025.
The couple has not yet filed for divorce.
Matriarch Ami was recently rushed to the hospital for health issues.
Alaskan Bush People Family Members
Alaskan Bush People fans have followed the Brown family for 14 seasons on Discovery. Billy and Ami married in 1979 and welcomed seven children together. Billy and Ami’s children are:
-Matt Brown
-Joshua Bam Bam Brown
-Bear Brown – married to Raiven and father to River, Cove and Everest
-Gabe Brown – married to Raquell and father to Sophia and a second daughter
-Noah Brown – separated from Rhain, they share sons Eli and Adam
-Snowbird Brown
-Rain Brown
NEXT STEP?
The family continues to post on social media and give life updates to their fans, though they have not revealed the status of the television series.
Bear revealed a spinoff called Alaskan Bush People Behind The Scenes with Bear Brown is in the works.
He captioned an Instagram video over the spring, “Over the past year, I have been asked if there will be a new season of Alaskan Bush People, while I can’t answer that question at this time, I am excited to announce, Alaskan Bush People Behind The Scenes With Bear Brown.
“It’s starting with the first season, I will be talking about both things in front of the camera, and behind it! The first episode is dropping summer 2024. In the meantime, you can stream all the old episodes of [Alaskan Bush People] on [Max].”
Bear has not provided any further updates on the potential series.
