Former host Dan Abrams hinted this week that the A&E cable television network could bring back Live PD, which was abruptly cancelled on June 10.
“I think A&E is doing what they said in their initial announcement, determining if there’s a ‘pathway’ forward. I hope so and think with some changes it could be an important part of the national discussion…”
Airing in three-hour blocks on Friday and Saturday evenings, Live PD gave its huge national audience a glimpse of how police officers go about their business on night patrol even with a 5-20 minute delay, plus some pre-taped segments.
In the meantime, about 130,000 people have already signed petitions calling for the revival of law enforcement ride-along show that precipitously ended with episode 298 in the emotionalism of the moment.
If social media is any indication, and it may not be, there may some roadblocks for the series that featured a lot of traffic stops, as the fans see it.
Many viewers in the Live PD Nation cohort have disavowed A&E, and that goes for a Live PD 2.0. Plus, regardless of where the show could land, if landing on another network is conceivable, devotees are concerned that the format could be watered down by PBS-style virtue signaling and the like.
A&E ratings have taken a nose-dive following the cancellation of Live PD.
Here’s a sample of the responses to Abrams’ tweet from loyal and passionate fans who are speaking loud and clear bring back Live PD.
When the ratings look like this I bet they are trying to find a path forward! Probably a pretty quick path forward… pic.twitter.com/MtwoS1jW3T
— Brian OConner🇺🇲 (@BrianOConner) July 6, 2020
I don’t think I’d watch even if it came back on A&E. Why? Surely they would change LivePD to the point of it being unwatchable. A&E were cowards and betrayed the fans and the law enforcement community. Sort of impossible to put that toothpaste back into the tube now. Goodbye A&E!
— Ed No (@EdNo95568024) July 7, 2020
No no no. For A&E to just cancel the shows with no warning was not right. I could understand if low ratings but that was not the case. @LivePDNation @LivePdFans there has to be another network to air this show.
— thea2u (@thea2u) July 6, 2020
Mob rule changes really Dan. LivePD was the BEST SHOW on ALL of TV. Don’t you own your own channel why can’t you put LivePD on that.
— Carol a Brown (@RIBrat) July 6, 2020
I have no desire to watch LivePD in any other format that what was originally broadcasted, I as with many others have not and will not watch another show on A&E since they so blatantly disrespected our men and women who protect us all!!!
— Maureen Moody (@maureenmoody) July 6, 2020
A&E is cowering to the BLM Marxist terrorists. Perhaps they should grow a pair, find sponsors who support law and order and drive forward with @OfficialLivePD and all of the spin-offs and watch the following. They could lead this country back from the brink of ruin.
— Robert J Castaldi (@lglyspkng) July 6, 2020
Although this sounds like potential hope, I’d rather watch it on a different network: A&E pulled out on our LEOs when we needed their support the most – to show transparency for our police officers
— sarah rodgers (@Miss_Sarah_033) July 6, 2020
I hope it comes back, weekends aren’t the same anymore & I hate that A&E turned their backs on our LEOS at the first sign of trouble. There is good & bad everywhere but they will still risk their lives, even for the worst of the human race, that’s a real Hero!
— BrendaLW63 (@countrygurl_63) July 7, 2020
LivePD Nation shouldn’t be penalized by people who were frankly never gonna watch the show in the first place. And there’s NOTHING WRONG with showing LEO’s in a good light. Officers on the show said it helped policing in their area because it helped people approach them. #LivePD
— Karen Willer 🧝🏻♀️🧚♀️🌜🌞✨🦈🏒 (@moonglow63092) July 9, 2020
#LivePD was the one last thing that politics hadn’t yet spoiled for me. To think of all the relationships this show created between officers and the communities, @AETV was willing to tarnish! Make it right, bring back #LivePD MEND the country the right way!!!
— Abby Stockdill (@abbyjstockdill) July 7, 2020
I say No to A&E. Can’t imagine why any other network would not want to take the show on if it was the#1 rated show on TV.
— jameswv (@jameswv) July 6, 2020
The only reason I had cable was to watch LivePD on A&E, when they cancelled the show, I cancelled cable. Even if it comes back to A&E, I won’t be watching but switch it to another network then I’ll get cable again. A&E will never be in my home again.
— Keith Z_Indy (@KeithZIndy1) July 6, 2020
No @AETV for me until #LivePD is back on air. #LivePDNation #livepdcancelled
— Katie Montanaro (@KatieDMontanaro) July 6, 2020
A&E made a knee jerk reaction decision to appease “The Mob” when they took Live PD off the air. That was their choice. My choice is to not watch anything on A&E again. Blue Lives Matter!
— gneal (@gneal) July 6, 2020
My fear is that they would try to politicize the show. It already showcases how much the police bend over backwards to deal with the public in a respectful and professional manner.
— Matthew Betley (@MatthewBetley) July 6, 2020
Remember when @ABCNetwork Dropped Last Man Standing due to some PC BS ? @Fox picked up the show . THEIR RATING are AMAZING!
— Patriotic Girl #IVapeIVote (@PatrioticGirl71) July 7, 2020
Why not do the same ?
Take EVERYTHING @LivePD to another network 😉
Screw A&E !
WE WANT OUR LIVE PD BACK ……..
Please know you have our support. Don’t give in, and we won’t give up. I think AE is realizing what a financial mistake they made by canceling the show. They cut off the nose to spite the face, and now they have a hemorrhage problem.
— Linda McClellan (@MrsMedic) July 8, 2020
I’m boycotting A&E…how dare they fold fold from the pressure of the BLM movement. They basically shouted from the rooftops they stand against the brave men and woman that risk their lives to keep ALL Americans safe. It reminds me of banning a breed of dog for the actions of few
— Lindsay Seering (@loves_lindsay) July 6, 2020
Most of us do not want the show on A&E. A&E has demonstrated its complicity to cowardice and amorality and their disdain of law and order. I would rather get a colonoscopy from a porcupine with a flashlight than be forced to watch A&E.
— The Old Techie 🇨🇦 (@theoldtechie) July 6, 2020
Even if @livepd did come back, would many people watch on A@E network? Many people feel like when cops should have had a spotlight and continued to show the good in what they do everyday. This network let the cop loving 🥰 viewers and cops down. They showed the backs to us.
— Patricia Suarez (@psoxboston1) July 6, 2020
“IF” there’s a pathway forward? A&E dropped the ball and all we get is an “if”. It would serve them right for the show to go elsewhere. Sorry, but A&E failed law enforcement, fans, the public and the country MISERABLY. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
— Stephen Hatfield (@GalacticLegion) July 6, 2020
@AETV lost me even if you return. They chose to get political. They turned their back on their entire audience of ALL races. They also turned their back on cops. #unacceptable #toolittletoolate
— Bob Hastings (@BobHastingsNV) July 6, 2020
No changes are needed with the show Dan. The show did nothing wrong and gave a real world glimpse into what is happening in our society. Honestly, after what we saw each week with members in our society, is there really a surprise with what’s going on in the country?
— Chris Hiestand (@ChrisHiestand1) July 6, 2020
As much as I want the show back I do wish it wouldnt be with @AETV. I just feel they abandoned the show, officers, and crews at a time when they should’ve had their backs!
— 🦦❤🐱Kristina M🚔🐕💙 (@mcnaryk) July 6, 2020
As much as I want the show back I do wish it wouldnt be with @AETV. I just feel they abandoned the show, officers, and crews at a time when they should’ve had their backs!
— 🦦❤🐱Kristina M🚔🐕💙 (@mcnaryk) July 6, 2020
I have totally boycotted the
— Brenda Sours (@HeartInspector) July 6, 2020
A&E channel.
They’re going to have to make it good for me to go back. I’d prefer to see another Network takeover the show and make it better not water it down!
💙🚓💙
As a law enforcement officer, I am deeply disappointed in A&E, their actions have done a great deal of harm to the profession. They abandoned us in our greatest time of need. They were shining a light on who most Police are. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. -1-
— Mike Leedy (@johnleedy77) July 6, 2020
TBH we don’t need it to be part of a “national discussion.” It was just fine as-is; and does what is needed – transparency of officers doing day-to-day jobs.
— NASA Fan (Joe) 🔭 (@DogLuvrInDaHaus) July 6, 2020
I have not watched A&E since and will not, unless LivePD is brought back.
Dan—there’s a pathway forward, but I’m not sure that A&E has the courage to persue it yet… to walk away from “LivePD” was a crime in itself…
— Gord Bailey (@gordbailey) July 6, 2020
A & E lost me as a viewer when they cancelled Live PD. They must bring the show back as it was; not change it for “national discussion”. Liberals don’t want people seeing how good 99.9% of officers are. Doesn’t play into their false narrative. Don’t let them politicize the show.
— Elizabeth A. Wilson – Author (@EAWilsonAuthor) July 6, 2020
Not particularly interesting in a ‘sanitized’ version of #LivePD. The network is feeling the backlash and it will continue. You still need to make coin, that’s fine but I won’t be watching. @AETV can still suck it.
— 🇺🇸Chad_the_Fab (@chad_fab) July 6, 2020
For me. No LivePD no A&E they had no respect for the officers who made them a lot of money, just turned their backs. A&E and bigfish should be ashamed!
— Laura Gerrard (@laura_gerrard) July 6, 2020
Pathway. They’re such trash. They cancelled the show to jump on the bandwagon of hate. There was nothing wrong with the show at all. But now with their tanked ratings, we’ll see what they do. I bet if the national narrative goes back to pro Police the show will be back.
— T.J. Young (@TJYoungCO) July 6, 2020
Other than consideration for the safety of the film crew due to today’s hostile environment, the cancellation of Live PD is unbelievable. Live PD was a demonstration of the way any citizen would want to be treated when encountering a law enforcement officer. Bring back LIVE PD!!!
— Brian Johnston (@brianjohn23) July 6, 2020
Dan, in all honesty, after A/E showed zero support for the police, I’m not sure any self respecting officer would appear? I would not. Only chiefs/sheriffs seeking fame would re-up again with A/E. Not to mention, A/E left #LivePDNation at the altar. Fool me once, shame on you…
— James Casey (@Tpr_James_Casey) July 6, 2020
Many/most of the behind-the-scenes crew lost their jobs on the production. Dan Abrams, who is involved with ventures, will be fine. There are other indicators (such as the pronouncements he provides as ABC’s chief legal analyst), but you tell by the wording of his tweet that Dan Abrams is a a big liberal. It is ironic that he lost this gig because of the left-wing cancel culture. Abrams did keep politics out of Live PD, though, and was great with the puns and double entrendres.
In addition to his ABC role, Abrams operates several platforms, including Mediaite, where in general you can only find clips of conservatives and Republicans saying dumb stuff on TV.
