Live PD kicked off 2020 on January 3rd with Season 4 resuming after the holidays. But it was hard to imagine during the first week of January what would happen later in the year. By March COVID was sweeping through the country. Live PD was scheduled to air on March 20th, but for the safety of officers and the crew, the decision was made to put the show on hold. The show was off the air for 2 weeks, and then back on April 3rd with a special episode that focused on COVID. Live PD came back the next week, but the show was shorter and there were a lot more pre-recorded segments. As the month of May began, it seemed the show was adapting to the pandemic. The June 6th episode was scheduled to be the 300th episode of Live PD.
Cancellation
In the wake of the murder of George Floyd and protests for racial equality, the producers of Live PD felt the best course of action was to permanently end Live PD. The May 23rd episode was the last episode to air. Following the cancellation of the show, Dan Abrams publically lobbied for the show and that there options to bring it back. The fans revolted against the A&E network and boycotted it. The ratings for A&E bottomed out and never recovered to what they had with Live PD. The protests against racial inequality are cited as the primary reason for canceling Live PD. But there are a few alternative theories about why the show was canceled.
COVID Costs
Many have speculated that the impact of COVID-19 had a major impact on the show. The financial costs of additional precautions to keep both officers and crew safe was a major factor. And also the insurance implications of potentially exposing people to the virus while filming added to the financial pressure. On top of that, with all the problems they were facing, law enforcement agencies were not renewing to be on the show during the pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 may have been too much for the producers.
Williamson County
On March 28, 2019, Javier Ambler was killed after being tasered by Williamson County Deputies while Live PD was filming. Live PD never aired the segment, and according to producers Williamson County never requested they release the video. Ultimately, Live PD producers would destroy the footage of Javier Ambler’s death. The contract in-place between Williamson County and Live PD producers at the time of Ambler’s death allowed producers to destroy unaired footage within 30 days unless a court order was issued that required it to be retained. The story that the media ran with was that Live PD was part of a cover-up in Ambler’s death, and ultimately this put a lot of public and legal pressure on the show.
At the same time, Willamson County was suing Sheriff Robert Chody for filming with Live PD after the County Commissioners voted to end filming. Despite the County voting to end the contract with Live PD, Chody entered into a new contract. Both of these situations created public and legal pressure on the show.
Calls to Return
Following the show’s cancellation, all previous episodes of Live PD were pulled from the A&E channel, on-demand, and the A&E website. Dan appeared on several news programs debating the values of the show. The officers featured on Live PD felt a sense of betrayal. But most people associated with the show remained quiet. On the other hand, the fans continued to watch older episodes from DVR and took to social media calling for the show to come back.
Williamson County Fallout
On September 28, 2020, Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody was indicted on a felony evidence tampering charge stemming from the destruction of body-cam footage relating to Javier Ambler’s death.
Sheriff Chody recently lost his bid for re-election on November 7. He will leave office in January. However, Chody is currently under investigation after being arrested and indicted on a felony charge of tampering with evidence in relation to the Ambler case. Chody’s case is expected to go to trial in 2021.
On Nov. 10, Williamson County Commissioners dropped its lawsuit against Live PD over filming without a valid contract. Live PD producers in turn dropped its countersuit against the county.
There is no doubt that Sheriff Chody’s desire to be in the spotlight created serious problems not just for Live PD but for the residents of Williamson County. Chody thought he was above the law, and he could do what ever was needed to fuel his fame on TV. Hopefully, the show can recover from this taint.
What’s Next?
It goes without saying that the Live PD Nation still wants to bring their show back. The petition on this website has close to 5,000 signatures, with fans still signing the petition 6 months later. The producers know there’s a demand for the show, and it seems like many of the problems that caused Live PD to be canceled have been resolved. This creates a big reason for the show to relaunch in 2021.
Dan continues to talk about work happening behind the scenes to bring the show back. We think Live PD will be back either on a channel like Fox with a new name for the show, or on a new dedicated streaming channel. Stay tuned in 2021 for the return of Live PD.
The reason this show was canceled is Bullshit. This show bowed down to peer pressure from raging idiots who thought there was a problem with being American. Well there isn’t, and it should start back up, right where they left off, and the he’ll with the lefties agenda.
Dennis, I don’t think the show bowed down. Definitely A&E showed major disrespect to our law enforcement all over the country, but you can’t blame Live PD for that. Dan Abrams keeps saying he is going to get it back on the air. I hope he does, as long as it’s on a different channel that can respect and support all of our LEO.
Exactly. This show has many loyal fans who despite what happened LAST year… demand to have the show back. Not every cop is the same and being stereotyped in this way is wrong.
Best show ever! If there was any racial inequality ever, oh gee, check out the numbers of people committing crimes in this nation! Check all of the races! What’s the ratio…. yeah, thought so. The show was removed by producers who pandered to stupidity – not truth.
Would love to see the show back! I think, now more than ever, the public needs to see police in a positive light and how they serve and protect. Police are not the enemy, in fact, just the opposite. So grateful for our police officers!
My oldest Brother was shot and killed on duty as a Policeman. He was also an MP in the Army, Had another Brother who was also an MP. I studied Police Science and Administration in JR College, I also served two tours in Viet Nam in the Army. The Live PD was what I looked forward to each week. I’m so thankful when it returns — Nothing else on TV that I care for.
I hate to be that guy, but it’s not coming back. If Joe Biden does indeed become president, I don’t expect police will be treated all that well by leadership in enough communities across the country. Expect to see a lot more defunding efforts. Combine that with the political ideologies of those working in television, I don’t think police would get a fair shake on the air in 2021 either. Covid lockdowns are going to become more extreme, so having camera crews walking around town will probably not be allowed. I could be wrong, but I see 2021 shaping up… Read more »
But now, CA is at least turning on their Gov! NY is turning on their Gov. But, if ALL of those sexual things happened, when they happened, why did ALL those women wait until AFTER the election to start coming forward?!?!?!1
Where’s the squad and why aren’t they squawking?
It better come back Never should of been canceled
Why I heard COPS had been cancelled; I told my wife LivePD is next. Sure enough, that evening it was
Absolutely. Best show ever.
Please bring LIVE PD BACK !!!we miss it very much !I AM tired.of.watching the ID CHANNEI !!!!!!!!
I would like to find the petition to sign to help bring it back. Anybody know how I can find it?
Please return to the air with Live PD. My FAVORITE show.
I WANT THIS SHOW BACK ON,I WATCHED IT ALL THE TIME.IT SHOULD NEVER BEEN TAKEN OFF BECAUSE PEOPLE DON’T KNOW HOW TO ACT N RESPECT THE LAW, THEY NEVER DID ANYTHING WRONG, TO BE OFF THE AIR, IF PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE SEEN ON THE SHOW THEN GROW THE HELL UP N OBEY THE LAW IT’S THAT EASY,OH WE SHOULD GET 3 HRS OF IT LIKE YOU ARE DOING FOR THE SHOW IN ITS PLACE,WE WANT OUR SHOW BACK ON NOW,NO BULL SHIT ABOUT IT
Am truly sad about the death of a human being during the filming of Live PD, but to cancel the show is a great injustice to all the other officers. Officers who put their lives on the line everyday as shown in the many episodes of Live PD. Stop playing politics and bring back Live PD.
It would be GREAT if LIVE PD were to come back. The petition needs to get more publicity. I would have not known except that was viewing the website.
I love watching Live PD. Have the upmost respect for all law enforcement and appreciate the job and risk they take. We burn a blue light bulb 24/7.
I always have watched live pd and miss it a lot
I am looking forward to the return, Fox would be great. I have not watch A&E since you left.
Please bring this show Live PD back. We use to watch it on Friday and Saturday nights. This is the real lives of the officers and people need to see this. I know things are edited out but this is a close ad it comes to being real. I think people need to see how the people really act when approached by the officers.
Hallelujah! #GoDan
Bring live pd back asap
I would love to see LivePD come back, just NOT on A&E! Everyone affiliated with A&E ABANDONED LEOs and “threw them away” – and jumped on the liberal bandwagon which makes me absolutely SICK. We need an unbiased, supportive forum for LEOs and First Responders, their own “free” channel. Why can’t someone make this happen? A&E caved under liberal pressure and didn’t support the LEO community that made them cazillionaires. SICKENING! #NOA&E!!!!!
Bring LivePD back! This show provided a good look for the public to see that most officers are dedicated professionals doing a very dificult job!
Please bring it back. Learned so much about our environment.
I think this race card has been pulled way too much. I haven’t watched A&E since they took our freedom away and gave it to people calling racist to get their way. Bring this show back grow up!
Just bring it back…is really missed by us old people who are law abiding
Please bring it back. Miss it so much and I’m still having to stay home. Thanks
I and my whole family hope Live PD comes back but a lot of us can’t afford live streaming so we hope it will stay on cable. As for the petition, send it and my whole family and many of my friends will sign it.
I feel that a&e yielded to the pressure of the few and will boycott a&e for taking off live pd
Bring it back. Watching the segments on YOUTUBE now but need Dan, Sticks and Tom BACK!!!
We love this show so much! It was my husband’s and my favorite show! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE bring it back!!!!!
So it will come back in 5th
Please bring back LIVEPD. This show endorsed the actual human side of law enforcement. LivePD emphasized the full actual calls and challenges law enforcement officers encounter during thier shifts. It also showed the actual humans behind the badge. I miss LivePD nation.
Well be back when they’re back.. Didn’t matter where they land (prefer not a&e after what they did pulling plug) – haven’t watched a minute of a&e since. But would be great to have the site back as long as didn’t become just taped segments…
The show Should never of been canceled big mistake! It best come back
I always watched Live PD…and even have a T shirt and blanket!! I never saw any “racial” issues…as many of the great officers/sheriffs are of races other than white! They did their jobs without regard to their safety and did positve things for the communities they represented! Looking forward to the return!
I am still waitng on the return of the show. Really look forward to watching this. If it shows up on any streaming service I would happily pay to watch it. Please bring it back
You should think about putting this show on Roku channel
Bring back live PD
BRING LIVE PD BACK PLEASE.
Please bring Live Pd Back!!!!!!!
Bring back LivePD. A great show and missed by many. When you are in trouble, who do you want to help? The police. LivePD showed what police to go through on a regular basis, good and bad. So much nonsense sometimes 🙄 Do a crime, do the time.
From the bottom of my heart, I hope LivePD NEVER returns to air. I loathe watching US citizens, typically those who are impoverished, deprived of their civil rights. *Rather, manipulated into forgeiting their rights. PLEASE, LivePD, PLEASE do not return to air! Dan, resist those Dirty Dollars, no need to pump up your biceps curling stacks of Benjamins! LIVEPD is doing the GREATER GOOD WITHOUT CAMERAS! Police do NOT need to be made into celebrities, nor the criminals they hunt! Stop the madness… DO NOT RETURN TO AIR, I beg you.
STFU!!
bring back livePD!!!
i absolutely loved this show hoping it will come back soon in 2021
Wrong wording, suggesting George Floyd was murdered. The death of George Floyd would have been far more accurate. Floyd ODed and it’s yet to have been determined in a court of law that there’s a ‘murder’ involved.
I hope this is true that Live PD will return. I was so upset when the show was pulled.I don’t think A&E had much of a choice. Actually the Police are very respectful and patient with their subjects. It is important for the public to see how well the Police do their job.
Yes come back on Fox! They don’t give in so easily to the liberal whims! it would kind of remind of the days of COPS followed by AMW on Saturday nights. Ah those were the days of great TV!
Would love to have live PD back I appreciate law enforcement and value their service . people saying defund and talk bad about them can not complain when they need them but they will
I’m excited for this show to come back!
Please bring this show back. It is an honest show.
We watched this show all the time and looked forward to new episodes. We learned so much about what the police deal with as well as how people react to situations. Live PD followed the officers in our local town allowing us to see things that were happening in our own town that the news media never showed. Our town even held a meet and greet with multiple officers from many states. The line to meet the officers was so long it took several hours to get through the crowd. This shows we support our officers and will continue to… Read more »
We want Live PD back on tv. Since it was taken off there has been many new cops on the tv. If you allow them on then bring back LivePD. When in 2021 is it coming back???
Bring back Live PD