Cops (1989)
The pioneering unscripted series that put real American law enforcement on camera — raw, unfiltered, and still rolling after more than three decades.
Cops - Series Information
- Original Title: Cops
- First Air Year: 1989
- Last Air Year: 2025
- Created by: John Langley, Malcolm Barbour
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Reality
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (26 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 37
- Number of Episodes: 1264
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: March 11, 1989 (United States - TV-14), March 11, 1989 (Canada - PG), March 11, 1989 (Germany - 12), March 11, 1989 (France - 12), March 11, 1989 (India - U), March 11, 1989 (Australia - MA 15+), March 11, 1989 (Brazil - 14), March 11, 1989 (Mexico - B-15), March 11, 1989 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: FOX, Spike, Paramount Network, Fox Nation
- Production Companies: Langley Productions, FOX Entertainment, Barbour/Langley Productions, Fox Television Stations Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Cops - Plot
Follow real-life law enforcement officers from various regions and departments of the United States armed with nothing but with cameras to capture their actions, performing their daily duty to serve and protect the public.
Cops - Trailer
See the action unfold in this official look at the long-running reality series:
Where to Watch Cops
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Cops - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- John Langley
- Malcolm Barbour
Main Cast
- John Walsh
Executive Producers
- John Langley
- Morgan Langley
- Malcolm Barbour
- Douglas Waterman
- Billy Rainey
Cops - FAQs
Where can you stream Cops online?
Cops is available to stream on YouTube TV and The Roku Channel, with ad-supported viewing also available on Pluto TV. Episodes can be purchased digitally through Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. Availability may vary by region.
Is Cops still on the air in 2025?
Yes, Cops is still an active, returning series as of 2025. Currently in its 37th season, the show has aired over 1,264 episodes since its premiere in 1989, making it one of the longest-running reality television programs in American broadcast history.
What is Cops the TV series about?
Cops follows real-life law enforcement officers from various U.S. regions and departments as cameras capture their daily work. With no actors or scripts, the show documents authentic police encounters, arrests, and community interactions, offering an unfiltered look at the realities of frontline law enforcement.
When did Cops first premiere on television?
Cops premiered on March 11, 1989, on FOX. It is widely regarded as one of the earliest and most influential reality television series ever produced, predating the reality TV boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s by nearly a decade.
How many seasons and episodes does Cops have?
Cops has 37 seasons and over 1,264 episodes as of 2025. The series began with 16 episodes in its first season and has grown substantially over the decades, with later seasons typically running between 17 and 53 episodes each.
Who created the reality series Cops?
Cops was created by John Langley and Malcolm Barbour. Langley, through his production company Langley Productions, has remained a driving force behind the series throughout its entire run, serving as an executive producer alongside Morgan Langley, Douglas Waterman, Billy Rainey, and Terry Crews.
What networks have aired Cops over the years?
Cops originally aired on FOX before moving to Spike TV. It later transitioned to the Paramount Network and has also been available on Fox Nation. This multi-network journey reflects the show's enduring popularity and its ability to find audiences across different cable and broadcast platforms.
Was Cops ever cancelled and then brought back?
Yes. Cops was cancelled by Paramount Network in June 2020 following widespread social justice protests. However, the series was revived and returned to production, eventually resuming broadcast. It remains a returning series as of 2025, demonstrating remarkable resilience over its 35-plus year history.
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