- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
New York City and Dr. Phil's Son Resolve Dispute Over NYPD Reality Show
Settlement clears way for release of 'Behind the Badge' after legal battle over editorial control.
Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:18am
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
New York City has reached a settlement with producer Jordan McGraw, the son of TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw, over a reality show he was making about the New York Police Department. Under the agreement, the city will retain editorial control over the show, titled 'Behind the Badge,' and McGraw Media will provide 'rough cuts' of episodes to the NYPD for review and edits before the final version is released.
Why it matters
The dispute highlighted tensions between the city and media producers seeking access to sensitive police operations and information. The settlement preserves the city's ability to control how the NYPD is portrayed while allowing the show to move forward.
The details
The city sued Jordan McGraw and his production company, McGraw Media, in January, accusing them of violating an agreement that had allowed them special behind-the-scenes access to the NYPD. The lawsuit said the 'rough cuts' provided by McGraw Media included material not allowed under the production agreement, such as discussions of sensitive operations and the identities of undercover officers, crime victims and witnesses. Under the settlement, McGraw Media agreed to remove all content the NYPD deems inaccurate, confidential, or portraying the city or department in a negative light.
- In April 2025, New York City inked a three-year contract with McGraw Media to produce up to 17 episodes of 'Behind the Badge' per year.
- In late 2025, the city abandoned the 'Behind the Badge' project, citing concerns about the show's quality and content.
- On March 27, 2026, the city and McGraw Media reached a settlement to resolve the legal dispute.
The players
Jordan McGraw
The son of TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw and the producer of the reality show 'Behind the Badge'.
McGraw Media
The production company owned by Jordan McGraw that was making the 'Behind the Badge' reality show about the NYPD.
New York City
The city that had granted McGraw Media special access to the NYPD for the reality show, but later sued the company over concerns about the content.
New York Police Department (NYPD)
The nation's largest police force that was the subject of the 'Behind the Badge' reality show.
What they’re saying
“The city's lawsuit had come as a surprise 'as publication of any programming was not imminent' and that McGraw Media 'had worked with the city to address the edits requested' and was willing to continue to do so.”
— Chip Babcock, Lawyer for Jordan McGraw and McGraw Media
What’s next
The settlement agreement states that McGraw Media has already edited the first four episodes of 'Behind the Badge' to the city's specifications, and the city expects to provide feedback on the next three episodes by April 16.
The takeaway
This dispute highlights the delicate balance between media access and a city's desire to control how its police department is portrayed. The settlement preserves the city's editorial control while allowing the reality show to move forward, demonstrating the need for collaboration between government and media producers seeking sensitive information.
