Why Did Warner Bros. Cancel Judge Mathis And People's Court?

Very few people need to be informed that the rules of television have changed dramatically, least of all the cast and crew of "Judge Mathis" and "The People's Court." Both of the arbitration-based reality shows have been staples of daytime TV for two decades, famously turning real-life legal disputes into early afternoon amusement. Granted, they aren't the high drama of "Law & Order," but it would be difficult to deny that they have provided real entertainment.

Now, they are both coming to an end. In February of 2023, Variety confirmed that "Judge Mathis" will be wrapping at the end of Season 24, while "The People's Court" will be ending with Season 26. Both shows, produced at least in part by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television, appear to be getting the ax not necessarily due to changes in viewing habits and methods, as well as the changing nature of daytime TV.

With streaming now dominant, regularly scheduled daytime broadcasting and the local stations these kind of shows often relied on are in a straightforward decline. This, according to Variety, is what lies behind the decision to cancel both shows. 

"As local TV stations shrink their syndication dollars and the advertising marketplace shrinks for daytime syndication, first-run syndication has become a trickier landscape," Michael Schneider wrote. "At the same time, station groups have been expanding their local news broadcasts, also in a bid to save money."

There's a lot of history in the two courtroom reality shows. "Judge Mathis," which premiered in 1999, is the second-longest running, continuously produced courtroom show in television history, and Judge Greg Mathis is the second-longest running judge to preside over a televised courtroom. Both records are only bested by "Judge Judy" and the titular Judy Sheindlin.

"The People's Court" has a similar amount of cultural heft behind it. Originally broadcast from 1981 to 1993 with the formidable Judge Joseph Wapner presiding, it essentially created the template for courtroom reality TV. Its first cancellation didn't last long, and the show was revived in 1997 with former New York mayor Ed Koch on the judge's bench. He was replaced after two years by former New York Supreme Court Judge Jerry Sheindlin. In 2001, Sheindlin stepped down and was replaced by former Florida State Circuit Court Marilyn Milian, who will now be seeing the show to its final episode. In all, one version or another of "The People's Court" has aired for a total of 38 seasons. 

As engaging as these shows have been for their audiences, it is difficult to imagine them competing in the long-term with the likes of CourtTV and other 24-hour real-life legal channels, which is to say nothing of the popularity that true crime documentaries and docuseries have on streaming.