Fox News Media is resurrecting ‘Cops’ after barely a blip off air

Bad boys, beware: Fox News Media is bringing back “Cops,” the long-running reality-TV series featuring gritty videos of police officers in action.

“Cops,” which was canceled last year after public backlash against law enforcement in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, has been rebooted for Fox News Media’s streaming service, Fox Nation, the network announced Monday.

The return of the popular series will also coincide with a free subscription offer to Fox Nation for police and other first responders.

“‘Cops’ is one of the most iconic brands on television with an incredibly passionate fan base,” Jason Klarman, president of the subscription streaming service, said in a statement.

“We wanted to show our appreciation to all first responders by combining the launch with a free one-year subscription to give back in a small way to those who place their lives on the line every day to keep us safe.”

The first four episodes of Season 33 will premiere Oct. 1, then a new episode will air every Friday.

“Cops,” which showcased the catchy “Bad Boys” theme song by reggae band Inner Circle, was canceled in June 2020 at Paramount, where it was picked up after Fox canceled the series in 2013.

Each new subscriber between Sept. 13 and 20 will correspond to a $5 donation by Fox News Media to Answer the Call, a nonprofit formed after 9/11 that provides financial support to the families of New York City first responders killed in the line of duty. Fox has capped its donation at $50,000.

Fox Nation is also unveiling a slate of first -responder programming: “911: On Scene,” a ride-along show with firefighters, EMTs and paramedics; “When Seconds Count,” a special of dramatic rescues, hosted by Harris Faulkner; “Protect and Serve,” which “spotlights the good deeds and the truly heroic and impactful interactions that police officers often perform in the communities they serve”; and “Answer the Call,” a special focusing on the New York-based charity.

After the death of Floyd and other headline-making police killings last year forced a reexamination of how pop culture glorified police, A&E canceled “Live PD” around the same time as “Cops” was taken off the air, shortly after a report that the show had filmed a Black man dying in police custody but deleted the footage.