June 9, 2020

It is being reported that Paramount Network has cancelled Cops. The news is not a complete surprise, as the show had already been pulled from the air in the wake of the George Floyd's death and the ensuing protests against police brutality.

One of the first ever reality-based television shows, Cops premiered in 1989 on Fox where it aired for 24 years before being cancelled. But it wasn't long until the series was revived by Spike TV, now known as Paramount Network. The show had been scheduled to run longer than the 32 seasons it will now stop at, but its 33rd season - originally slated for a debut yesterday - will likely never see the light of day.

With no host or narration, Cops depends completely on the police officers and the footage shot to capture each story as it unfolds. Over the course of its time on the air, the series drew consistent viewership and regularly won its time slot on Saturday nights.