Warner Bros. Cancels Judge Mathis and Burns Down The People's Court

Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Telepictures Productions have decided to cancel Judge Mathis and The People's Court due to the declining nature of daytime syndication.

Judge Mathis is a nationally televised court show hosted by former Detroit 36th District Court judge Greg Mathis that takes on small claims disputes with humor and insight.

Judge Mathis

On Friday, Warner Bros. Unscripted Television and Telepictures Productions cancelled Judge Mathis, a nationally syndicated court show, due to the declining nature of daytime syndication.

For 24 seasons, former Michigan 36th District Court Judge Greg Mathis has hosted the program "Judge Mathis: Laying Down the Law," which follows him as he issues judgments to those present in his courtroom. It earned a Daytime Emmy Award in 2018 for outstanding legal/courtroom program.

Each episode, Judge Mathis preside over real cases that are both legal and compelling. He brings a fresh perspective to the courtroom by providing advice and resolutions for those in need of justice.

He also educates his audience on social issues that affect people today. Last month on the show, he invited representatives from Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) and National HIRE Network to discuss how employment plays a role in reentry from prison.

Judge Mathis is a former gang member himself and understands the significance of employment after a criminal conviction. That's why he opened the Mathis community center in Detroit, where he has assisted thousands of youth and ex-offenders find work and build a better life for themselves.

His story offers hope to millions. As the longest-running Black male host on TV and second longest-reigning arbitrator in courtroom TV history behind "Judge Judy" star Judith Sheindlin, it provides inspiration to millions.

Judge Mathis is an ardent public servant and national advocate for urban youth and equal justice. He has held leadership roles in multiple organizations and served as Chairman of Reverend Jesse Jackson's PUSH Excel initiative, among other roles.

His inspiring words have resonated with viewers since the show's inception, culminating in him becoming the first African American jurist to win a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program.

Judge Mathis is an accomplished legal and television professional who is also an advocate for equality. He has dedicated his life to aiding those whose lives have been negatively impacted by gang violence by serving on the boards of both NAACP and Morehouse School of Medicine.

The People’s Court

The People's Court was the pioneering reality show in the legal genre, pioneering binding arbitration in 1981 and making it one of the most iconic shows ever. This system has since been replicated by most subsequent shows within this genre.

From 1981 to 1993, former Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph Wapner presided over the series as judge. It was revived in 1997 with lawyer Ed Koch as judge and Jerry Sheindlin serving as arbitrator; today it's presided over by an empathic and assured Judge Marilyn Milian.

She takes a straightforward approach to complex cases and provides legal knowledge and wise counsel for litigants she serves. As the second-longest running arbiter in courtroom television history, her expertise has been invaluable.

Since its revival, The People's Court has earned several Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program and received 12 nominations. Additionally, in 2004 it won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding News, Talk or Information (Series or Special).

Warner Bros. is discontinuing The People's Court after an extended run on the air due to difficult market conditions within daytime syndication.

Variety reports the cancellation of both shows comes after 21 seasons on the air. It marks another shift in daytime syndication's competitive landscape, as long-running favorites like Dr. Phil, The Wendy Williams Show, Maury and The Real have already concluded their runs this year.

The People's Court was a reality court show featuring fictional litigants and their lawyers appearing before a judge to resolve their disputes. It was based on John Masterson's book of the same name.

On the show, judges are called upon to hear cases brought before them by plaintiffs and defendants who either appear in person or remotely from their homes. Most cases involve minor claims but can become complicated quickly.

Judges will review each case with plaintiffs and defendants, then make a final determination. In some instances, they may order another hearing; alternatively, they may opt not to hold another rehearsal and send both parties away to their homes with instructions to dismiss the case and agree on an out-of-court settlement.

Syndication

A syndicated show is one that airs on a television network other than its own. In America, syndication usually comes in two forms: first-run syndication and off-network syndication.

First-run syndication refers to shows created specifically for sale into syndication. These programs tend to be popular and long-running, such as game shows or talk shows.

In addition to first-run syndication, many cable networks rely on reruns of popular syndicated programs to fill their schedules and generate revenues from viewers. Examples include "Judge Judy" reruns and new shows of "Hot Bench", both continuing to attract viewers.

Syndication is the practice of selling content from various sources to distributors who then distribute it to consumers. It has become an effective means for reaching a wider audience, especially with streaming services like Amazon and Netflix requiring access to an expansive library in order to keep subscribers satisfied.

Warner Bros. has announced the cancellation of The People's Court and Judge Mathis, two syndicated daytime TV programs which will wrap up their runs this spring after 26 and 24 seasons respectively.

As with a number of other daytime shows, the decision to cancel them was made due to a decline in syndication revenues. Local television stations have cut back on their syndication budgets in recent years while advertising revenue has been declining sharply.

In the 1980s, syndication brought many long-running television shows to more homes than ever before. Additionally, it served as a way for new networks to supplement their lineups with tried and true programming from earlier eras.

Today, program creators often syndicate their shows to online viewing platforms like Amazon or Netflix. This has enabled more viewers to access shows while providing producers with additional income sources.

The People's Court and Judge Mathis have been cancelled due to a decline in the syndication market, leading to reduced ratings for both shows and an influx of younger-oriented daytime shows that appeal to viewers. This cancellation comes as a major blow to fans who will no longer get to watch their beloved court cases any longer.

Cancelled

Warner Bros. is canceling both popular courtroom series Judge Mathis and The People's Court due to challenging market conditions in daytime syndication, Variety reports.

Judge Mathis, which has been airing since 1998 and is one of the longest-running television court shows in history, is now entering its 24th season. Additionally, in 2018, it won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program.

It's no shock that Mathis has become a favorite among viewers. His no-nonsense approach to adjudication and willingness to call out bad actors have only served to increase the show's appeal.

Mathis, a former juvenile delinquent, believes that one cannot judge someone by their crime but by their character and actions. He holds that everyone deserves justice and an impartial trial - particularly if they have committed an offense against another individual.

He has been an active public service advocate for years, having collaborated with Detroit City Councilman Clyde Cleveland and Reverend Jesse Jackson's PUSH Excel organization. Additionally, he serves on the boards of NAACP and Morehouse School of Medicine.

Greg Mathis is a former District Court Judge from Michigan who is now an advocate for equal justice and nationally syndicated TV host. He began his public service journey as a youth activist, organizing demonstrations against South African Apartheid policies on campus.

His public service work led him to the staff of Detroit City Councilman Clyde Cleveland and then as an organizer for Reverend Jesse Jackson's PUSH Excel movement. Additionally, he is an active community leader and has served on the national board of NAACP.

Mathis has achieved great success in both his legal and broadcast careers, as well as advocating for gang-to-gavel rehabilitation programs. He has a long history of helping those who have been arrested or incarcerated and attributes this work to his mother who guided him down the right path.