The A&E channel has lost half of its audience following the cancellation of the hit police reality show Live PD.
Average prime-time viewership for the television network fell by 498,000 between the cancellation of the show around June 10 and July 19, which represents a 49% drop from the same time last year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Viewership by adults aged 18-49 and 25-54 dropped 55% and 53%, respectively.
The network’s decision to cancel the show in early June was made amid protests erupting across the country against systemic racism and police brutality following George Floyd’s death in police custody in May.
“Out of respect for the families of George Floyd and others who have lost their lives, in consultation with the departments we follow, and in consideration for the safety of all involved, we have made the decision not to broadcast Live PD this weekend,” the network said in a statement at the time.
Live PD was one of the most popular shows on television before it was taken off the air. Excluding spots, it was the top-rated show on Friday and Saturday nights in terms of total viewers, averaging almost 2 million in 2020.
