About Channel:
- Channel: A&E
- Country: USA
- Language: English
- Category: Entertainment Channel
- Website: https://www.aetv.com/
The main television brand of A&E Networks is the American basic cable network A&E. The network was first established in 1984 as the Arts & Entertainment Network, with an initial emphasis on dramas, documentaries, and fine arts. Today, the network focuses primarily on non-fiction programming, such as true crime, documentaries, miniseries, and reality docusoaps.
Approximately 95,968,000 pay television households (or 82.4% of American households with televisions) had access to A&E as of July 2015. While international versions for Australia, Latin America, and Europe were introduced, the American version of the channel is distributed in Canada.
10 Best A&E Shows, Ranked by IMDb
Bates Motel (2013-2017) - 8.1
It's challenging to remake a beloved Alfred Hitchcock movie, and touching Psycho seemed especially challenging. The prequel series and remake of the horror classic, Bates Motel, charts the rise and fall of the Bates family enterprise.
Bates Motel was a welcome surprise for the network, anchored by the two leads' strong performances. The show explores the characters in ways never before and completely re-contextualizes the movies by blending drama with a generous helping of suspense. Bates Motel demonstrated that A&E was still capable of doing both after having great success with reality television.
Live PD (2016-Present) - 8.2
The controversial reality programme Live PD filled the void left by the cancellation of shows like Cops. The television show follows police officers as they respond to real-world calls and deal with challenges every day as they travel throughout the United States.
Some viewers were enthralled by the show's dark and gritty nature, but others were turned off by it due to its political polarisation. The programme was cancelled at A&E despite being renewed, but it has continued to air on other networks. Even though Live PD was captivating in its own right, it represented a bygone era of television that many viewers would prefer to forget.
The First 48 (2004-Present) - 8.2
The First 48 is praised for its accurate portrayal of reality, while many reality shows are criticised for being made to look real. The programme provides a comprehensive look at the crucial 48-hour window that frequently determines the outcome of cases by following homicide detectives during the first two days of an investigation.
The emotional intensity of the episodes is almost overwhelming, and the viewer really gets the impression that being a homicide detective is nothing like it is in the movies. The First 48 instead depicts life as it is, and the majority of the episodes have depressing conclusions. Most reality shows try to spice up the plot to create intrigue.
Born This Way (2015-2019) - 8.3
Born This Way was specifically created to be uplifting and inspirational, in contrast to the generally gloomy premise of A&E reality shows. In spite of societal expectations, the series follows the daily lives of young adults with Down syndrome as they pursue their goals.
The show's characters are all distinctive, and the intertwining plots resemble reality show clichés without being cynical. Characters have careers, get married, and go about their daily lives; this is all depicted on screen with little to no editing. Born This Way works well as a companion piece to programmes like Love on the Spectrum because it is both entertaining and educational at the same time.
Longmire (2012-2017) - 8.3
Many fans overlook the fact that Longmire started as an A&E original series even though the show spent its most successful years there. The programme centres on the sheriff of a small county in Wyoming as he works to rebuild his life after the untimely passing of his wife.
Before it was abruptly cancelled by its original network, Longmire had a respectable run and is generally regarded as one of the best shows saved by Netflix. The series was exceptional because it combined contemporary sensibilities with traditional western tropes to create a timeless atmosphere. Westerns aren't all that common in contemporary television, but Longmire contributed to their comeback.
A Nero Wolfe Mystery (2001-2002) - 8.4
A Nero Wolf Mystery was the network's attempt at early 2000s prestige television and one of A&E's first forays into dramatic television. The programme centres on the exploits of the intrepid Nero Wolfe, a sleuth who solves crimes in 1950s New York City.
One of the best things about the show was its retro aesthetic, and Timothy Hutton was in charge of an all-star cast. Each story is better than the last, and even though it only had a few episodes, they were all made in a cinematic manner that wasn't common on shows of the time. Nero Wolfe wasn't frequently linked to A&E's history, but it was still one of the network's most ambitious initiatives.
Biography: WWE Legends (2021-2022) - 8.5
The WWE's collaboration with A&E has resulted in a tonne of excellent programming, but its spinoff of the network's legendary Biography programme stands out. The documentary series WWE Legends takes a close look at some of the most illustrious former wrestlers.
The series reveals the lives and legacies of legendary professional wrestlers through never-before-seen backstage footage. The show has a more candid feel thanks to the stars' access, and it has done a lot to dispel rumours and reignite feuds that have been dormant within the wrestling community for years.
City Confidential (1998-2021) - 8.6
City Confidential was A&E's longest-running programme, airing for three distinct decades before it finally ended in 2021. Each episode tells a unique story of crime and corruption from a specific American city.
The programme highlighted some of the most intriguing true-crime tales in history, ranging from major cities to remote townships. The most impressive aspect of the show was how consistently memorable each episode was, and viewers could always count on that.
America's Castles (1994-1999) - 8.6
One of A&E's first original series, America's Castles, is a far cry from the current programming that the network airs. Every episode featured a prominent American mansion, explaining both the architectural significance of the structure and the history of its occupants.
The series is ideal for history and architecture nerds because it chooses to be informative rather than entertaining. It is unlikely that America's Castles will air on the network in syndication any time soon because there isn't much to keep other viewers interested.
Leah Remini: Scientology And The Aftermath (2016-2019) - 9.0
Scientology and the Aftermath doesn't pull any punches and drops the cynical pretence common to most reality TV programmes. Actress Leah Remini talks with former churchgoers who describe their individual abuse experiences.
The documentary is among the best on the topic of cults and treats its subject with respect. It is clear that Remini, who was a former churchgoer herself, is extremely passionate about the subject matter and genuinely cares about the victims. Even though it's not always the most enjoyable show to watch, both the subjects and the viewers benefit from it.