After Pulling ‘Live PD’ Amid BLM Backlash, A&E Sues Reelz to try to Keep ‘On Patrol Live’ off the Air

A&E Television Networks whose parent company is Disney has filed a lawsuit against REELZ over their new show “On Patrol Live”

A&E alleges suit alleges that On Patrol Live is a knock-off of their show “Live PD”. Live PD was canceled in 2020 amid BLM protests and riots over the death of George Floyd and police brutality.

They claim Reelz and Bif Fish are piggybacking off of A&E’s reputation with “On Patrol Live” as it has the same primary hosts, format, and some segments.

A&E’s complaint reads, “Defendants intentionally have confused the public into believing that On Patrol: Live is Live PD and is associated with AETN’s brand. Defendants and Live PD’s former principals openly and repeatedly have referred to Live PD as ‘returning’ and ‘coming back’ on REELZ. These public statements were not gaffes or misstatements; they were part and parcel of Defendants’ bad-faith strategy of capitalizing on AETN’s reputation, trading on AETN’s  goodwill, and passing off On Patrol: Live as the same product as Live PD.”

Host of “On Patrol Live” and “Live PD” had stated when promoting the Reelz show, “In most ways, it is going to be a very similar type of show to the one that existed previously,” but has fundamentally changes the fabric of the show.”

Fans were very upset with the cancelation of “Live PD” and it sounds like Abrams and Big Fish had tried to get the show back on TV with A&E but the network did not want to bring it back and instead had ordered a new series “Court Night Live”.

Some may perceive the action by the Disney-owned network as an effort to keep a police-positive show off of TV.

Many on Twitter rebuked the lawsuit news:

@AETV penis envy also works with TV shows. You cancel a show and now a tantrum ensues with a lawsuit. Everyone should start unsubscribing from A&E on all platforms. #BoycottAETV

— 207Jarhead420 (@207Jarhead420) September 1, 2022

I hate to have read that A&E filed a lawsuit just to stop @OnPatrolLive because they can't stand it that @ReelzChannel has a hit show since they canceled LivePD.

— Jason Gilliam Horror movie fan (@Wrestlingfan_73) September 1, 2022

@OfficialOPLive It's sad that A&E trying to prevent you from going on the air with their frivolous lawsuit! They just upset that they don't have the #1 show in America today!

— Laverne Noble (@Laverne13838512) August 31, 2022

If I’m not mistaken Dan Abrams is a lawyer, I really don’t think he would push to get Reelz to air the show if he knew a lawsuit would be involved. As far as A&E, suck it up buttercup you had your chance.

— Denise T (@dneisy) August 31, 2022

Here's A&E right about now – with their frivolous lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/6OuYiiG4rC

— October6Guy (@October6G) August 31, 2022

Fans are clearly upset and don’t want to lose “On Patrol Live”. Friday we will see if Reelz plans to keep airing the show or if they will be taking it off the air.