A&E network SUES ReelzChannel over their new series On Patrol: Live

Fans of the A&E series Live PD were quite thrilled when a similar series entitled On Patrol: Live debuted on ReelzChannel, though A&E was not as thrilled.

A&E has filed a lawsuit against ReelzChannel LLC, claiming On Patrol: Live is an unauthorized rip-off of Live PD.

Live PD was a popular hit for A&E, which ran from 2016 before it was pulled off the air in 2020 due to the George Floyd protests against police brutality.

Lawsuit: A&E has filed a lawsuit against ReelzChannel LLC, claiming On Patrol: Live is an unauthorized rip-off of Live PD

Pulled: Live PD was a popular hit for A&E, which ran from 2016 before it was pulled off the air in 2020 due to the George Floyd protests against police brutality

The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ, claims that On Patrol: Live is a blatant copycat of Live PD, and are demanding ReelzChannel to both shut the show down, and relinquish any profits made from it to date.

The original Live PD debuted in 2016, showcasing several police departments across the country in real time, with host Dan Abrams guiding viewers through the action from a studio.

A&E claims that the production company behind Live PD, Big Fish, simply ‘cloned’ Live PD and presented On Patrol: Live to Reelz, even bringing back the same Live PD host, Dan Abrams.

Copycat: The lawsuit, obtained by TMZ , claims that On Patrol: Live is a blatant copycat of Live PD, and are demanding ReelzChannel to both shut the show down, and relinquish any profits made from it to date

The lawsuit also claims that Reelz marketed On Patrol: Live as the ‘return’ of Live PD on television.

A&E also claims that Reelz ‘ignored’ their warnings about airing On Patrol: Live and moved forward with the show, which has become a big hit for the fledgling network.

The lawsuit also claims that Reelz was struggling to find viewers, adding they were the 89th ranked network in terms of total viewers in 2021.

Marketed: The lawsuit also claims that Reelz marketed On Patrol: Live as the ‘return’ of Live PD on television

A&E also claims that Live PD had sanctioned a number of spin-offs, though Reelz did not have their permission.

The cable network is seeking an injunction stopping On Patrol: Live from airing and money in the lawsuit, though no amount was specified.

A ReelzChannel spokesperson responded to the lawsuit with a statement, claiming the network has not been served with the suit.

Injunction: The cable network is seeking an injunction stopping On Patrol: Live from airing and money in the lawsuit, though no amount was specified

‘ReelzChannel, LLC, has not been served with nor had an opportunity to review the Complaint in detail, and thus has no comment at this time beyond denying liability and expressing its ongoing commitment to On Patrol: Live,’ the statement read.

Reelz Channel faced legal action back in 2019 from rock group Motley Crue, after an unauthorized documentary about the group aired.

The group claimed the network lied to fans with their Breaking the Band documentary series. 

No opportunity: ‘ReelzChannel, LLC, has not been served with nor had an opportunity to review the Complaint in detail, and thus has no comment at this time beyond denying liability and expressing its ongoing commitment to On Patrol: Live,’ the statement read