Homicide: Life on the Streets, the celebrated Baltimore-based police television drama from the 1990s, may soon find its way onto streaming for the first time.
According to David Simon, whose book was the basis for the series, “Word is that NBC has managed to finally secure the music rights necessary to sell Homicide: Life on the Streets to a streaming platform.”
Once brought to market, Homicide should no doubt attract its share of interested suiters. The series ran for seven seasons between between 1993 and 1999 on NBC, starring an ensemble cast featuring Andre Braugher, Richard Belzer, Clark Johnson, Yaphet Kotto, Melissa Leo, Kyle Secor, Ned Beatty, Daniel Baldwin, and Reed Diamond, among others. It received a total of 16 Emmy nominations, with Braugher winning Outstanding Lead Actor in 1998.
Upon Homicide’s conclusion in 1999, Simon went on to create The Wire for HBO. Belzer brought his Homicide character, Detective John Munch, to NBC’s Law and Order: SVU.
Despite its widespread acclaim, Homicide has never before been available on streaming. As alluded to by Simon, the issue apparently stems from the licensing rights involving some of the music that soundtracked the show. Simon previously suggested that Braugher’s passing in December 2023 may have been the impetus for NBC to finally move the process along.
For now, Homicide: Life on the Streets is available to purchase as a DVD box set.
Word is that NBC has managed to finally secure the music rights necessary to sell Homicide: Life On The Streets" to a streaming platform. Andre, Richard, Yaphet, Ned, and so many others who labored on that wonderful show on both sides of the camera will soon regain a full share…
— David Simon (@AoDespair) June 17, 2024
