(A&E)
It’s not often that a channel will cancel its highest-rated series. Less than a month ago, A&E was touting the Live PD TV show’s great ratings. Today, the cable channel cancelled the series — at least for now.
Debuting in October 2016, Live PD provides a unique look at the policing of America. The series follows diverse police departments from across the country in real-time as they patrol their communities. Using dash cams along with fixed rig and handheld cameras, the series captures the work of urban and rural police forces on a typical Friday and Saturday night.
Host Dan Abrams and commentators Tom Morris Jr. and Sergeant Sean “Sticks” Larkin offer insights into what audiences are seeing in real-time, bouncing between the featured police departments and offering an inside look at each live episode.
In early May, Live PD was picked up for 160 additional episodes and was scheduled to air its 300th episode on Saturday, June 6th.
On Friday, June 5th, It was announced the series had been pulled off the air for the weekend. “Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, in consultation with the departments we follow, and in consideration for the safety of all involved, we have made the decision not to broadcast Live PD this weekend,” A&E said in a statement.
— Live PD on A&E (@OfficialLivePD) June 1, 2020
Now, the series has been cancelled though it seems as though the door may be left open for the show’s return at some point. The decision came from both A&E and MGM’s Big Fish Entertainment, which produces the show. “This is a critical time in our nation’s history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD,” the network said in a statement to Deadline. “Going forward, we will determine if there is a clear pathway to tell the stories of both the community and the police officers whose role it is to serve them. And with that, we will be meeting with community and civil rights leaders as well as police departments.”
Cancelling the program was likely an unpleasant decision for both parties due to the loss of revenue. Airing for three hours on both Friday and Saturday nights, Live PD was a big draw for A&E in the ratings. According to the cable channel, the program was the top-rated show on regular cable for those nights in 2019 and the numbers have gotten even better since the pandemic has caused live sports games to be suspended.
Last night, host Abrams had reassured fans that the show would return.
To all of you asking whether #LivePD coming back. . .The answer is yes. All of us associated with the show are as committed to it as ever. We are still discussing some specifics but I want to assure the #LivePDNation that we are not abandoning you.
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 10, 2020
And to be clear as I have said on my @SXMPOTUS show, you can both support the important and impactful peaceful protests and support the overwhelming majority of police officers doing the noble and difficult work they do every day.
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 10, 2020
Today, Abrams communicated that the series would not return after all.
Shocked & beyond disappointed about this. To the loyal #LivePDNation please know I, we, did everything we could to fight for you, and for our continuing effort at transparency in policing. I was convinced the show would go on. . More to come. . .https://t.co/WWh7fDrig2
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
I am hoping that this continues with @TomMorrisJr1 https://t.co/7GxeXNZYP6
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
I am going to finally go to sleep but I just want to say one more thing to the #LivePDNation. Thank you for making this so much more than a tv show. You created a huge community of kind, caring people with whom I hope to stay in touch with in this next chapter. More tomorrow. . .
— Dan Abrams (@danabrams) June 11, 2020
Cops, a long-running program on Paramount Network, has also been cancelled.
What do you think? Did you watch Live PD on A&E? Do you think that this series should return at some point?
Please return Live PD to the air! It is an awesome & honest program showing the real life situations that police officers confront daily. Like anything in life there is good & bad but police officers are mostly dedicated public servants that protect & serve their communities and keep everyone safe! They put their lives on the line daily and are heroes in my book!!
AOC is the most pathetic channel on the dial, just like we are supposed to know not all black people are criminals, they need to take their own 2 cents and stop lying, and admit not all Police are dirty, my brother was featured on LivePD as were many others, because 1 or 2 bad cops fkd up you pull the plug on everything, woke pathetic and FAKE!! if anything it kept all Cops at their best, like anyone is when they know millions are watching, I completely took AOC off my direct tv menu, it sucks The First 48… Read more »
You need to bring back Live PD
Finally some good news about Live PD. I love that show and miss them so very much. The best true life situations out their and the very most entertaining. Please return our men in blue and of course Dan Abrams, Tom Morris and Sticks. Please
I watched every show it was a good show. It should not have been cancelled no one was ever treated with undo force. If anything the police were more in danger. When is this show coming back.
I am very upset about the cancellation of Live PD!! IN FACT I HAVE CANCELLED MY DIRECT TV BECAUSE OF IT!!! Too bad A&E is so spineless!! And I’m sure if they decide to bring it back it will be just as spineless, wimpy and watered down as the network! I am also boycotting the companies that sponsor A&E and have been letting the sponsors know that!! I can only hope that A&E goes under from this ignorant mistake and some other network takes over.
Wish you had not canceled live PD they showed how fair the police where.Please bring it back
Live PD was good and positive show. It allowed its viewers to see what Officers are faced with on a daily basis, as well as how they treated the public they came in contact with. This show should be on the air. Not all Police Officers are bad. It served as a positive reinforcement of Law Enforcement in our communities across the country. This network has lost a loyal viewership because of its decision to remove LIVE PD from the air. They in effect told everyone they had ZERO confidence in any of the Officers who had been faithfully representing… Read more »
We have watched live Pd since it came on tv and we have seen police be fair to everyone they came in contact with. Just because there are a few bad cops doesn’t mean all are bad . I hope y’all will be back on soon because how more transparent can you be than live on dish network. We love everyone on live Pd hope to see y’all soon stay safe
My family will no longer watch any program on A&E!
Please bring back Live PD, this show is educational, enjoyable and sometimes heartbreaking.. This crew of people are very hard working! It’s eye opening, emotional, and yes, sometimes annoying what these officers go through! I’m simply distraught over losing my all time favorite show of my lifetime and I’m 64! My little dog watched this as well, right on the foot of my recliner! So if you want to make a little old lady happy, please bring back my live PD!
Live PD needs to move to a better network that is loyal to their viewers , a non political network that is neutral bias, if there is such a thing anymore. It seams all networks are a democratic dictatorship and all tv sucks now.
I will also never watch any show A &E produce until they bring back Live PD!! This was soooooo short sited on their part! It has given me a better understanding of what the police go through on a daily basis and the million things they are left to deal with because nobody else wants to!! Dan and the guys deserve better than that A&E! Your decision has made things worse not better! Bowing down to pressure instead of high lighting the good work police do in our society!!
If A&E felt that LivePD was somehow the cause of societies reaction to the George Floyd incident then in good faith they should end the network. If A&E thinks that would be an inappropriate response, then ending LivePD was as well. With that, it is clear that their were simply showing false solidarity so they would not be critized. Go away A&E. No one will notice.
Oh and I will never watch a&e again untill thay bring back live pd
Live PD should definitely be brought back.it should be looked at as a good learning tool to see what police have to deal with on a daily basis and make split second decisions.if people would just listen to a police officer commands and put their hands up when they say to and get down when they say to and JUST LISTEN TO THEM ALREADY alot of what is goin on today would not be happening..JUST LISTEN TO PEOPLE TO A POLICE OFFICER COMMANDS.whats so hard.dam man…