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Entertainment • Reality TV

Pawn Stars

Pawn Stars is an American reality television series that premiered on History in 2009.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Pawn Stars is an American reality television series that premiered on History in 2009. The series follows the Harrison family and their colleagues at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas as they evaluate, buy, sell, and pawn a wide range of items. It became a major ratings success for History and has been broadcast internationally.

Premise

Pawn Stars follows daily activity at a family-run pawn shop, focusing on negotiations and appraisals of unusual, collectible, and historically significant objects. The format combines commerce, antiques expertise, and commentary on the items’ background.

Production and broadcast

The series is produced by Leftfield Pictures and airs on History. It debuted in July 2009 and is set in Las Vegas, where the shop operates.

Cast and setting

The central figures are members of the Harrison family, including Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison, along with Austin “Chumlee” Russell. The shop featured in the series is the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.

Reception

The program became a ratings success for History and was reported as one of the network’s top-performing series. It also gained a large international audience through broadcast and dubbing in multiple languages.

Key facts

  • Pawn Stars premiered on History on July 19, 2009, and is set at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas.
  • The series centers on three generations of the Harrison family and associate Austin “Chumlee” Russell.
  • Episodes feature customers bringing items for appraisal, purchase, sale, or pawn, with historical and expert segments.
  • It became one of History’s highest-rated programs and has been distributed internationally.
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Canadian context

The series has been widely distributed internationally and is known to Canadian viewers through History-related broadcasting and streaming availability in North America.

Frequently asked questions

What is Pawn Stars about?
It follows the daily business of a Las Vegas pawn shop, showing customers bringing in items for appraisal, purchase, sale, or pawn.
When did Pawn Stars first air?
It premiered on History on July 19, 2009.
Where is Pawn Stars filmed?
The series is filmed in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
Who are the main people on the show?
The show centers on the Harrison family, especially Rick Harrison and Corey Harrison, along with Austin “Chumlee” Russell.
What network airs Pawn Stars?
It airs on the History channel.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pawn_Stars
    Supports: Premiere date, setting, premise, main cast, production company, and international reach.
  2. History — https://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars
    Supports: Official series description, family-run shop premise, and setting in Las Vegas.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1492088/
    Supports: Country of origin, release date, and filming location.
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/pawn_stars
    Supports: Network, genre, release date, and series synopsis.