(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?
Live PD was a great show and not only did the PD Nation help find missing children they also help solve some crimes what a shame not all the police are bad it’s a terrible shame and I hope another Network will Stand up and takeover and bring live PD back and not roll over like your liberals with almost two million viewers a night a&e being the number one rated cable show on those nights it’s too bad and I really hope it comes back
PLEASE PLEASE BRING BACK ALL LIVE PD !!!! THESE SHOWS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO EVERYONE
Please bring it back. Great shoe
Best show on tv. Could not wait untill Friday and Saturday. What a disappointment from a&e you made a big mistake. Livepdnation hope a network will pick up with the same people.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE BRING IT BACK. It is so informative, Live PD Nation is a nation wide group of civilians who help find children, solve crimes, report crimes. It shows us the good work of the police departments, shows us things like how wide spread homelessness is, it makes the whole nation a community. If parts of the show needs to be changed – do it – but we need it.
This is stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. Canceling a good show. And leaving crap on tv like Hoarders
I have not watched A&E or any of its affiliated channels since hearing that they cancelled LivePD and all of the shows involving LivePD..ie LivepD cam etc. I think right now is the time for transparency in every aspect. So I really hope that another station picks this program up as it has done some really great things for the communities. Especially the missing person s portion and wanted portions. Also if it had not been for viewers calling in on some of the live calls some of the traffic stops would have missed the drugs, guns and other things… Read more »
It is such a shame that evil wins out again. Why is it that good policing can be over looked because of the very few evil people in this country? There are no such thing as an evil race only evil people. Live PD showed us how great most police are #LivePdNation
I was EXTREMELY disappointed that a network would bow down to the protests of a few people when the VAST majority of people watched such an unbiased program, and a program that was doing so much good for the American people. I refuse to watch any A&E programming until Live PD is brought back. Shame on you A&E for doing more harm than good.
Yes i watched it all the time. Its a shame a few control things. I guess the dog that barks and tears up other peoples stuff get there way. Hope another channel pick it up
I am beyond upset!!!! this is the most ridiculous situation. The men on this show are absolutely fantastic people and I looked forward to every Friday and Saturday night and now I have nothing to watch and I will no longer watch A & E channel for anything. I am done with them because of their decision!!! Bring back live PD SOON
Shame on you for letting other people dictate to you. I will not be watching A&E . Hard to believe that you would take Live PD off the air because of what happened. There is three stories to a situation as I have only heard what they want you to hear and see. I would like to see and hear the truth. And all these people who destroyed business and buildings what was done to them? Seems like this is getting out of hand. What are you going to do when you need 911 and nobody comes.
Best show ever! I hope another network picks Live PD up. I’m sure A&E will miss the revenue. My family watched it every Friday and Saturday. It not only showed the danger our men in blue face, it provided information on missing children that no other program does.
Live PD is a great insight into what is going on around the US. Different county’s deal with different problems. Information about what to do and not to do will make policing easier for the person being pulled over and the police. I believe Live PD should be back to help everyone understand what goes on.
Removing Live PD is only giving in to those who think all police officers are bad. That’s not true. Where would we be without them. God bless them. Put the show back on the air. Don’t let them win.