A&E is flipping the script — right into the trash bin. The cable network has announced that since its sole scripted series Bates Motel has ended, it is taking the phrase “reality check” literally. The Bates Motel TV series finale just aired on Monday, April 24, 2017.
Deadline reports, “As A&E is reaching a turning point in its ratings comeback with the first back-to-back months of viewership growth in almost four years, the A+E network is recalibrating its programming strategy, returning to its roots as an exclusively non-fiction brand.”
A&E Returns to Reality
While scripted programming will continue on A+E Networks’ owned stations History and Lifetime, A&E — the flagship channel — will stick with reality and docu-series, going forward.
A&E’s current non-fiction series include 60 Days In; 60 Days In: Atlanta; Behind Bars: Rookie Year; Born This Way; Escaping Polygamy; Fit to Fat to Fit; Intervention; Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath; Little Funny; Live PD; Nightwatch; Storage Wars; The First 48; Wahlburgers; and Cold Case Files.
Although its popular Duck Dynasty TV show is ending after 11 seasons, A&E will bring the Robertson family back for specials.
In recent years, Bates Motel was the only A&E scripted series to be renewed beyond its first season. A look at the ratings explains why. One of the first steps in growing its non-fiction slate includes the revival of the popular Biography TV series.
What do you think? Is A&E making the right decision in getting rid of its scripted programming? Let us know, below.
Will the TV series Nightwatch be returning to A&E? This was a great show and I would love to see it return.
….still….way too many “scripted” reality shows. Personally, those prison shows suck. The last thing I want to do is see how crappy life is inside a prison. At least hey are going back to “their roots” with the Biography series but I’m sure they’ll find a way to ruin this too. I can’t wait until we can all choose what channels we would like to drop from our cable/satellite packages. Then you’ll see how nervous these cable executives get when we don’t need to buy them anymore. Channels like TLC, Bravo, E! will all be on the trash heap considering… Read more »
So glad to see some of my favs will be saved! Intervention..Born This Way, Scientology. But what about “Hoarders”? Hopefully that’ll be saved also! Thank you A&E for bringing us such awesome programming!
I have really been fascinated by Escaping Polygamy. Who thought this still goes on in America (not me).
My sister joined the polygamist clan in the 70″s. I was shocked to day the least. We were raised in the Episcopal church. Love the show.
I like the shows like night watch new Orleans, night watch tampa, live pd, born this way, Leah Remini scientology show, bring more of those shows, also miss new episodes of dog and beth, but I think they moved to CMT channel, always liked A&E channel
Just what we need is more reality tv…*sigh*
I liked both Longmire and Bates Motel…without shows like those, I guess my A&E-watching days may be largely over.
Well no more reason to watch A&E not that there was very many reasons before
I really liked Bates Motel myself, and switching to an all reality format is a really stupid idea on the part of A&E!
Bates Motel was one of the absolutely best series that A&E have had in a long, long time. It was wonderful that they did not attempt to copy, verbatim, the Hitchcock version. He would approve I am sure. The interviews with the cast,in the special 20 minutes after the finale….was just so much fun. Congratulations on the success.
A&E grossly under-promoted Bates Motel. It was as good, if not better, than any other drama on television. Most of my friends who watch other similar drama (Game of Thrones, Walking Dead etc.) have never seen even one episode. The reality TV show (more kindly referred to as an “unscripted drama”) is so saturated, it has become passé. I suppose if they were given the choice to try harder, or give up, giving up is the easier, and less expensive, route to go.
Longmire ran three seasons on A&E.
Yep, awesome show…we watched it on NetFlix after it was cancelled on A&E.