At the time , around the year 2000 , the FX network , a division under 21st Century Fox , was looking to find what would be the network 's first drama series to help set the tone for their network , given the ongoing success of '' The Sopranos '' on rival network HBO . FX 's Kevin Reilly wanted a show about an antihero but believed that the cop genre had become tired . However , Reilly was amazed by Ryan 's script , and greenlit the show in mid-2001 . Reilly worked with Ryan to help determine how much violence and nudity could be used within the show , as unlike HBO , FX was an ad-sponsored cable channel and beholden to certain content considerations . As they were working towards this , the September 11 attacks occurred , and in their aftermath , Fox was concerned if the show would be appropriate at this time , believing that audiences would not be receptive to seeing police officers portrayed in a negative light . The situation changed following the theatrical release of '' Training Day '' in October 2001 , a film centered around corrupt cops that was a financial success . Fox was assured by '' Training Day '' s reception from audiences that '' The Shield '' was allowed to continue , with the pilot first broadcast in March 2002
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
The Shield