A&E Networks has resolved its dispute over Live PD with Amazon-owned Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz.
As part of the agreement, A&E and Amazon have established a new multi-year licensing arrangement for A&E’s programming.
“A+E Networks and Amazon have agreed to significantly expand their commercial relationship in a multi-year agreement that will amplify the reach of A+E Networks’ brands and content on Amazon’s Prime Video service,” the companies said in a joint statement. “In connection with that agreement, the legal dispute between A+E and Big Fish Entertainment and Reelz concerning ‘Live PD’ has been resolved.”
Big Fish Entertainment originally produced Live PD for A&E, where it became a major hit and inspired several spinoffs, such as Live PD: Wanted, Live PD: Police Patrol, and Live PD Presents: PD Cam. However, A&E canceled the show in 2020 amid widespread protests against police brutality and heightened scrutiny of police portrayals following George Floyd’s death in Minnesota.
In 2022, Big Fish announced plans to revive the live police format under the new title On Patrol: Live on Reelz. The show features Dan Abrams, who had hosted Live PD, returning as its anchor.
A&E subsequently filed a lawsuit to block Reelz from airing On Patrol: Live, arguing that it was a direct copy of Live PD and that A&E owned the rights to the original show. “AETN has never relinquished or assigned its rights to create episodes of Live PD nor has it authorized anyone else to prepare derivative programs based upon Live PD except as works made-for-hire,” the lawsuit claimed.
Insiders reveal that as part of the settlement, A&E and Amazon have finalized a non-exclusive licensing deal. This includes streaming access to A&E’s library content, rental and purchase options, A&E add-on subscriptions, and additional FAST Channels, all available via Prime Video.
The agreement expands A&E subscription offerings in the U.S. and Japan and extends the licensing of A&E movies and series available on Prime Video in the U.S., UK, and other regions. It also supports the continued availability of existing FAST Channels and introduces new ones in the U.S.
In a significant development last year, New York Judge Katharine Polk Failla sided with A&E in the copyright dispute, rejecting a motion to dismiss the case. The judge ruled that the original contract between A&E and Big Fish granted all rights to Live PD exclusively to A&E.
“Plaintiff holds exclusive, 100% ownership in all rights to the Live PD series (including originally shot footage, newly created elements, format, and title) in perpetuity, including any copyrights and trademarks held in connection therewith,” the judge stated.
Following the settlement, On Patrol: Live, produced by Big Fish Entertainment under its subsidiary Half Moon Pictures, can continue airing on Reelz. The show, which broadcasts on Fridays and Saturdays, is confirmed through January 2025, with renewal discussions ongoing.
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