New York City has reached a settlement with television producer Jordan McGraw regarding his upcoming reality show focused on the New York Police Department (NYPD). The resolution of this legal dispute allows the show, titled “Behind the Badge,” to proceed with additional oversight and control from city officials.
### Settlement Reached After Legal Dispute
The settlement was finalized on Friday, putting an end to a legal battle that began when the city accused McGraw and his production company, McGraw Media, of breaching an earlier agreement. This contract had permitted the production team special access to the operations of the nation’s largest police force. The city had asserted that McGraw’s actions presented a risk of “immediate and irreparable harm” to public safety and trust.
As part of the agreement, the city will retain editorial oversight over the content of the series. McGraw Media is now required to submit “rough cuts” of each episode to the NYPD for review and will incorporate suggested edits from the department into the final product.
### Content Restrictions Imposed
The terms of the settlement stipulate that McGraw Media must remove any elements from the show that the NYPD identifies as inaccurate or confidential. This includes content concerning investigatory techniques that the department is legally restricted from disclosing, as well as material that could jeopardize public safety or harm the reputation of the police.
Furthermore, any scenes that portray the NYPD or the city in a negative light must also be eliminated from the series. McGraw’s legal representative, Chip Babcock, had previously indicated that the city’s lawsuit took McGraw Media by surprise, emphasizing that the company had been actively collaborating with the NYPD to address any concerns.
### City’s Concerns Over Footage Quality
Prior to the settlement, the city’s complaint highlighted that McGraw Media had produced episodes containing mostly unedited footage, which included discussions related to sensitive police operations and the identities of individuals who had not been tried or convicted of crimes. The city argued that such material could undermine public trust in law enforcement.
Specific examples cited in the lawsuit included footage of an officer entering a security code at a police station and instances where the faces of individuals arrested were shown without blurring, compromising their privacy.
### Previous Agreements and Future Expectations
In April 2025, New York City had initially engaged in a three-year contract with McGraw Media to produce “Behind the Badge.” This agreement allowed for the production of up to 17 episodes annually but included a clause that granted the city the right to withdraw if concerns arose.
However, the city expressed doubts about the series’ quality and content late last year, just hours before the mayoral transition to Zohran Mamdani. Following these concerns, the city decided to distance itself from the project. The lawsuit stated that McGraw Media had signaled its unwillingness to accept the city’s requested edits and actively sought a purchaser for the show.
Each episode of “Behind the Badge” is intended to air on Phil McGraw’s MeritTV cable and streaming networks, which previously featured segments involving the NYPD.
### Upcoming Steps Following Settlement
According to the settlement agreement, McGraw Media has already made edits to the first four episodes based on the city’s specifications. The city anticipates providing feedback on episodes five and six by the following week, with final comments expected on the last three episodes by April 16, marking the next steps in the production process.
This settlement indicates a renewed collaborative effort to ensure the series is produced in a manner that respects both the integrity of the NYPD and the public’s interest in accurate representation. As the project moves forward, all eyes will be on how the final version of “Behind the Badge” aligns with these newly established guidelines.
Source: Original Reporting
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