On Patrol: Live (Formerly Live PD) is Most Watched Show on Cable with 3.5 Million Viewers After Returning from BLM Induced Cancellation

The Reboot of what was known formerly as “Live PD” has taken off like a rocket. “On Patrol: Live” on REELZ had 3.5 million viewers on Saturday, July 24th, making it the most watched show on cable among adults 25-54 on Friday and Saturday.

“Live PD”, even with its tremendous ratings, was canceled after the death of George Floyd. This happened after pushback from left wing activists including BLM. The show followed different police departments across the country on what they called live calls.

After the death of George Floyd, many left-wing activists called for defunding police and rioting took place across the country. With Live: PD being viewed as a police positive show it was no surprise that it was targeted and A&E caved to the pressure.

Fans instantly petitioned to get the show back, and Dan Abrams was able to revive the show on REELZ two years after the cancellation. He had been working since it was canceled to get it back.

The show, according to Abrams, is somewhat different, and had to be, to bring it back. The show now has a segment called “Citizen Ride-Along” which according to REELZ, “will give local residents within the communities of the departments appearing on the show a first-hand perspective as they ride along with officers followed by On Patrol: Live cameras on live nights”

This is an effort to make fans of the show feel like part of it. Abrams told “Entertainment Weekly”, The reason behind this new segment is “for them to ride with the police and then come back and talk to us about that experience.”

It seems that fans are happy to have the experience back on television.

REELZ shared some fan’s tweets about the show:

The beautiful K9s of #OPNation! #OnPatrolLive #OPLive https://t.co/Xok3FrH90Z

— REELZ (@ReelzChannel) August 1, 2022

Aw! #OnPatrolLive is for the dogs. #OPNation #OPLive https://t.co/7dSvzasNPk

— REELZ (@ReelzChannel) July 31, 2022

When everything else has to wait…because you’re watching #OPLive. 🚨

That is #OnPatrolNation #OPLive https://t.co/5zTtkkImbw

— REELZ (@ReelzChannel) July 31, 2022

REELZ released a statement on the ratings on Wednesday, July 27th:

3.5 MILLION VIEWERS WATCHED “ON PATROL: LIVE” OVER THE WEEKEND

“On Patrol: Live” was #1 Most Watched Show on Cable Friday and Saturday Night – Adults 25-54

REELZ is a Top 25 Cable Network for the Week

(Albuquerque, NM) – Wednesday, July 27, 2022 – REELZ today announced that 3.5 million unique viewers watched On Patrol: Live with an average viewing time of 146 minutes across the seven telecasts over the premiere weekend starting Friday, July 22. The huge audience turnout for On Patrol: Live made it the #1 most watched show on cable among adults 25-54 on Friday and Saturday night.

The series premiere of On Patrol: Live on Friday, July 22 averaged 397,000 in the coveted A25-54 demo making it the most watched show on cable that night. On Patrol: Live on Saturday night attracted an even larger audience from 9pm-12am averaging 403,000 among A25-54, also making the show the most watched on cable that night. The strong performance of On Patrol: Live made REELZ the second most watched network among all ad-supported broadcast and cable networks when the show aired live on both Friday and Saturday night.

The strong performance of the On Patrol: Live premiere weekend propelled REELZ into a top 25 cable network position for the first time ever.

“On Patrol: Live provides an authentic, live look at policing in communities all across America,” said Stan E. Hubbard, CEO of REELZ. “We are as thrilled with the audience embrace of our new series as we are proud to bring this experience into their homes.”

On Patrol: Live airs live on REELZ every Friday and Saturday night from 9pm to 12am ET followed immediately by an encore airing with host and executive producer Dan Abrams alongside analysts Sgt. Sean “Sticks” Larkin and Deputy Sheriff Curtis Wilson. On Patrol: Live is produced by Half Moon Pictures for REELZ. Executive Producers are John Zito, Paul Gordon, Joe Venafro and Dan Abrams.

Sources: Nielsen: Top 25 Network Ranking based on MSU 8-11P Time Period data (7/18-7/24/22). #1 show on Cable Ranking based on Live+SD P25-54 impressions, Fri 7/22/22 8p-11p, Sat 7/23/22 8p-11p, program data. Nielsen Power Reach & Frequency for seven OPL telecasts during premiere weekend based on Live+SD stream, 6 minute cume qualifier.