A+E files lawsuit against ‘On Patrol: Live’ network Reelz for “brazen theft” of ‘Live PD’ format

Live PD

A+E Networks wants Reelz to pull its hit cop show On Patrol: Live after accusing the US network of creating “a clone” of A&E’s former series, Live PD.

The news emerged via a lawsuit filed in New York, in which A+E accused Reelz and MGM-owned Big Fish – the latter being the prodco behind Live PD until it was ended by A&E following the death of George Floyd – of “brazen theft”.

In A+E’s claim, the group argues that “without any authorisation”, Big Fish had created “a clone of Live PD featuring the same primary hosts, content, format, segments, and more, and sold that virtually identical show to Reelz, a cable network seeking its first breakout hit, which then aired the show over AETN’s repeated and vociferous objections.”

A+E claims to have “100% ownership” of the show and urged judges to force Reelz to pull On Patrol: Live, as well as any future Live PD off-shoots, while also claiming damages.

The Hearst and Disney-owned broadcaster added that Reelz and the producers had “intentionally… confused the public into believing that On Patrol: Live is Live PD and is associated with AETN’s brand.”

It added that phrases such as “returning” and “coming back” had been used in marketing by Reelz, which A+E claimed were “not gaffes or misstatements” but “part and parcel of [the] defendants’ bad-faith strategy of capitalising on AETN’s reputation, trading on AETN’s goodwill, and passing off On Patrol: Live as the same product as Live PD.”

Reelz said it had 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.”