Katz Networks is bringing back 24/7 courtroom coverage as the demand for “true crime” content is on the rise.
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Katz Networks, a division of the E.W. Scripps Co., is relaunching Court TV in May, The Wall Street Journal reports. The legal network gained popularity for its coverage of the murder trials of O.J. Simpson and Casey Anthony, but was turned into truTV in 2008. Its revival comes at a time when “true crime” is becoming an increasingly popular genre, chief executive Jonathan Katz told the newspaper. “When you think about the genre, it couldn’t have a broader base… Consumer interest in true-crime content is at an all-time high, but there is no real-time court coverage on TV,” he said. Katz also said the network will feature “24/7 trial coverage, along with analysis and commentary from legal experts” as well as “documentaries and other nonfiction content.” Katz Networks has reportedly made deals with local TV station owners like Tribune Media and Univision, and Court TV might be available on digital platforms like Roku and YouTube TV. TruTV will reportedly remain on the air as a network owned by Turner Broadcasting.
