This show was a television adaptation of the Clint Eastwood movie, Coogan's Bluff (1968).
The first season of "McCloud" consisted of 6 regular length episodes (48 minutes for a 60 minute time slot) while all the following seasons were presented as movies of the week. For syndication, the 6 shorter length episodes were re-edited and combined into three double length features. The shorter versions are usually not included in DVD or streaming presentations. The episode guide on IMDb reflects the original way the show was broadcast, and not the three re-edited features titled "Man from Taos"; "Manhattan Manhunt" and "Murder Arena".
Part of the original "Sunday NBC Mystery Movie" which rotated with the series McMillan & Wife (1971) and Columbo (1971).
In season one, episode one, "Who Says You Can't Make Friends in New York City?", McCloud is holding a press conference after he killed a bad guy, which would make it impossible for him to do undercover police work, as he did throughout the run of the series.
The 1970-1971 television series, Four-in-One (1970), rotated four separate shows: Rod Serling's Night Gallery (1969), this show, San Francisco International Airport (1970) and The Psychiatrist (1970). Two series were renewed for the 1971-1972 season, with this show becoming the most popular and longest running.