If you ONLY open your front door in hopes that the PRIZE PATROL will jump out of your bushes and hand you a giant check, there’s bad news:  It sounds like it’s over.

Publishers Clearing House has filed for bankruptcy.

The company has been around for 72 years.  It was initially founded as an alternative to door-to-door magazine subscription sales by offering bulk mail direct marketing . . . but it was best known for their prize sweepstakes, which became a sensation in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

Contrary to popular belief, Publishers Clearing House never worked with Ed McMahon.  That was the competitor, American Family Publishers, which was around from 1977 to 1999.

Both companies did some good, but were also hit with a LOT of lawsuits over deceptive promotions and advertising.  They’d make it look like someone had already won a prize, or was a finalist with improved chances of winning something.  Which wasn’t the case.

Publishers Clearing House’s bankruptcy announcement said that they are “finalizing a shift away” from its legacy business . . . and are hoping to become a “pure digital advertising” company, with “free-to-play” entertainment online.

They did say that the “Prize Patrol” team will continue to deliver awards throughout the bankruptcy process . . . but that will require some creative financing, because their current liabilities have them underwater.

(AP)