'Duck Dynasty' season 12 cancellation news: season 11 to be the last of hit reality show

A&E is wrapping up "Duck Dynasty" after 11 seasons.

The reality series, which premiered in 2012, followed the lives of the Robertson family, who became known for their family-operated duck-hunting merchandise business Duck Commander. The men of the family, Phil, Si, Jase, Willie and Jep, have become famous for their long facial hair and conservative Christian views.

The unscripted series will come to an end in April 2017 after five years and 130 episodes. The current "Duck Dynasty" season 11 will be broken into halves, with the first half airing through Jan. 18. After a short break, the latter half will run from March 1 to April 12.

The Robertsons made the announcement about the show's end during the Wednesday night premiere of "Duck Dynasty" season 11.

"After five years, we've decided as a family for this to be the final chapter of the 'Duck Dynasty' series," Willie Robertson said in the video.

Apart from being one of reality TV's biggest hits, "Duck Dynasty" has also become known for the various controversies its stars have been involved in. In 2013, Phil Robertson was suspended by A&E after he said that gay people are sinners, on par with terrorists and those who practice bestiality, in an interview with GQ. His family rallied behind him, saying that while his comments sounded coarse, his views are grounded in the Bible and he is a "godly man." He was later reinstated by A&E, but was soon back to unleashing his anti-LGBT views upon viewers.

"It's still the leader in that kind of family docuseries, and a lot of the others have tried," Lifetime and A&E GM Rob Sharenow told The Hollywood Reporter about the show's future last year. "Could it be like 'First 48' and go 12 years? I don't know, and I can't speak for the family, but I don't think they'd see it going [five more years]," he added.

While "Duck Dynasty" will end in 2017, the family has hinted that there will be several "Duck Dynasty" specials ahead.

"Duck Dynasty" season 11 airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. EST on A&E.