A&E is an American pay television network, the flagship television property of A&E Networks. The network focuses primarily on non-fiction programming, including reality docusoaps, true crime, and documentary miniseries.

 

The network was originally founded in 1984 as the Arts & Entertainment Network, initially focusing on fine arts, documentaries (including its then-flagship series Biography), and dramas (including imported series from the United Kingdom). In 1986, it even used its filler space between shows to premiere one of the first classical music videos to be broadcast in the United States and Canada, the Kendall Ross Bean: Chopin Polonaise in A Flat.
 

In 1995, the network rebranded as A&E, in an effort to downplay the negative perceptions of arts programming and generally market the network as a "thought-provoking" alternative to other television channels. In 2002, at the expense of its arts programming, A&E began to gradually focus more on reality series to attract younger viewers.By 2017, the network had also phased out scripted programs, making reality shows its primary focus.

 

As of July 2015, A&E is available to approximately 95,968,000 pay television households (82.4% of households with television) in the United States.The US version of the channel is being distributed in Canada while international versions were launched for Australia, Latin America, and Europe.