Cops Cancelled By Fox, Picked Up By Spike TV


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With little fanfare, Saturday?s hourlong season finale of Cops actually marked the venerable docu-reality series? last original airing on Fox. The network signaled that the end was near when it cut back significantly the order for this season to accommodate sports coverage on Saturday. Cops? current 25th season did not premiere until December 15 after more than half a year off the air. Cops marked its 850th episode in February, and, with no plans for the show to return to Fox next season, the producer, Langley Prods., started looking for a new home. They?ve found it at Spike TV, where Season 26 of Cops will debut in September, airing in its long-time Saturday 8 PM time slot. As part of the deal, male-centric Spike TV also is acquiring a portion of the Cops library. (The news of the show?s move was first reported by TV Guide.)

This marks the end of an era as Cops was one of the programs that established the Fox brand and the longest-running Fox series currently on the air. Its cancellation comes two years after Fox ended Cops? long-time companion, America?s Most Wanted, as a regular series. After a two-season stint on Lifetime, AMW again is looking for a new home after the cable network cancelled it a month ago. Cops ended its run on Fox respectably, drawing 2.9 million viewers and a 0.9/3 for its finale Saturday, the second-highest-rated program of the night in 18-40 behind CBS? 48 Hours, which now is left as the only regularly scheduled Saturday series on the broadcast networks. (It has already been renewed by CBS for next season.) ?Cops is a remarkable series that has been able to sustain strong ratings well into its third decade, a monumental achievement in television,? said Spike TV president Kevin Kay. ?As we continue to grow and expand our audience, new episodes of Cops, with its loyal audience of Adults 18-49, is the perfect addition to our primetime lineup on Saturday nights.? Cable networks have stepped up their original efforts on Saturdays, including AMC recently expanding into the night.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/cops-cancelled-by-fox-picked-up-by-spike-tv/

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A lot of the footage is old due to laws being based that video could only be used for internal training purposes, not aired on tv.

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I was real sad.. until I saw that it got picked up.. lol

It is just dumbass people that don't know the law..

"Sir, can I come in your house?", "Yeah BUD! Come on in!"

lol

If cops have taught me anything.. it is to KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT lol

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It's my favourite show, for when it's 4am and I should go to bed, but I can't because COPS is on.

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cops-moves-to-new-network-after-25-seasons.jpg

One of the very first reality shows, 'COPS' has been a staple of the FOX network for an incredible twenty-five years. Now, after all that time, the series is moving to a new home on a new network: Spike TV.

Debuting in 1989, 'COPS' skyrocketed in the ratings, captivating audiences with a gritty hand-held look at crime in America. The average-joe presentation of the officers on the program coupled with the action of suspects resisting arrest made 'COPS' one of the most talked-about programs on television and did much to cement FOX as a true ratings contender alongside the big-three networks. The success of the series lead to crossover references or appearances on other FOX series including 'The Simpsons' and 'The X-Files,' the latter of which filmed an entire episode in the traditional 'COPS' video style.

Now, Spike TV has ordered the twenty-sixth season of 'COPS,' which will include twenty-two new episodes and will premiere in September. Production has already begun in locations such as Sacramento, Sarasota, Fla., and Texas.

So why the move? After twenty-five seasons, 'COPS' may remain the same but FOX is an entirely different network. The programming strategy of FOX has altered over the decades and much of the twenty-fifth season of 'COPS' was pre-empted in favor of sporting events. Spike TV president Kevin Kay says he approached Langley a few years ago about acquiring 'COPS' but the producer wanted to make it through 25 seasons on Fox before entertaining a move. Kay and Langley spoke again this spring, and a deal was quickly reached. "It's the perfect show for Spike," Kay says. "We want the fans to just shift over hopefully effortlessly."

'COPS' is an opening salvo against Spike's current Saturday line-up, which until now has focused on airing feature films. Spike is moving to add more series, original and syndicated, into their Saturday programming.

Source: http://www.tvrage.com/news/6494/cops-moves-to-new-network-after-25-seasons

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COPS was one of the three shows which defined FOX. It should stay there.

Also, I remember the X-COPS episode. :p

Pffft, screw FOX. They can do without them.

Damn there really isnt much of a reason to watch Fox anymore.

This.

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