• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Scripps sells Court TV to Law & Crime

valvashon

valvashon

Feb. 9, 2026 CINCINNATI – The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has reached an agreement to sell its Court TV network to Law&Crime – the multiplatform true crime and legal content studio created and led by ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams and now owned by media creator holding company Jellysmack.

Scripps relaunched Court TV in May 2019 after acquiring the rights from Turner Broadcasting. Since then, the network has delivered viewers access to some of the most gripping trials of the last several years, includingJohnny Depp v. Amber Heard, Alex Murdaugh and the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Law&Crime, acquired by Jellysmack in 2023, is a leading true-crime network producing premium crime and legal content across major platforms. Its reach spans two FAST channels, multiple streaming partners and a robust social footprint that includes 25 YouTube channels – led by its flagship channel with more than 7 million subscribers.

Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO, said the transaction reflects the company’s longstanding entrepreneurial DNA.

“This move is consistent with the way Scripps has operated for nearly a century and a half: We identify where consumer behavior is headed, build and grow businesses that meet those evolving interests and make strategic decisions about how we unlock their greatest value – whether in our portfolio or through exits that strengthen our balance sheet and position us for the future,” said Symson. “The Court TV brand we’ve built is a natural complement to Law&Crime’s existing library of crime and trial coverage.

”Law&Crime CEO Dan Abrams reiterated the value of continuing to maintain Court TV and Law&Crime as distinct brands.

“There is no better partner than Law&Crime to continue the distinctive Court TV brand and network,” said Abrams. “I began my career at Court TV, and we look forward to continuing its important tradition of giving viewers an inside look at some of the most fascinating and important trials. Court TV will become our hub for all trial content and coverage as its own standalone channel and brand.”

Financial details are not being disclosed.
 
valvashon said:
Feb. 9, 2026 CINCINNATI – The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) has reached an agreement to sell its Court TV network to Law&Crime – the multiplatform true crime and legal content studio created and led by ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams and now owned by media creator holding company Jellysmack.

Scripps relaunched Court TV in May 2019 after acquiring the rights from Turner Broadcasting. Since then, the network has delivered viewers access to some of the most gripping trials of the last several years, includingJohnny Depp v. Amber Heard, Alex Murdaugh and the trial of Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

Law&Crime, acquired by Jellysmack in 2023, is a leading true-crime network producing premium crime and legal content across major platforms. Its reach spans two FAST channels, multiple streaming partners and a robust social footprint that includes 25 YouTube channels – led by its flagship channel with more than 7 million subscribers.

Adam Symson, Scripps president and CEO, said the transaction reflects the company’s longstanding entrepreneurial DNA.

“This move is consistent with the way Scripps has operated for nearly a century and a half: We identify where consumer behavior is headed, build and grow businesses that meet those evolving interests and make strategic decisions about how we unlock their greatest value – whether in our portfolio or through exits that strengthen our balance sheet and position us for the future,” said Symson. “The Court TV brand we’ve built is a natural complement to Law&Crime’s existing library of crime and trial coverage.

”Law&Crime CEO Dan Abrams reiterated the value of continuing to maintain Court TV and Law&Crime as distinct brands.

“There is no better partner than Law&Crime to continue the distinctive Court TV brand and network,” said Abrams. “I began my career at Court TV, and we look forward to continuing its important tradition of giving viewers an inside look at some of the most fascinating and important trials. Court TV will become our hub for all trial content and coverage as its own standalone channel and brand.”

Financial details are not being disclosed.
Click to expand...
Do you think that means some time soon Court Tv will be dropped from the Ion stations subchannel line-ups or no because the agreement will say in place for the next 3 years at least?
 
DavinaR said:
Do you think that means some time soon Court Tv will be dropped from the Ion stations subchannel line-ups or no because the agreement will say in place for the next 3 years at least?
Click to expand...
I think it's likely that some Scripps outlets start to drop Court TV sooner rather than later.
 
Y2kTheNewOldies said:
thedesk.net

Court TV implements layoffs; affected workers say channel shutting down

Dozens of Court TV staff received layoff notices after Scripps sold the network to Jellysmack, with the linear channel set to shut down March 11.
thedesk.net thedesk.net

Here is more on CourtTV merging with Law and Crime Blog.
Click to expand...
Apparently Court TV linear network is NOT shutting down, but moving from Scripps offices in Atlanta to Law&Crime's offices in New York and it will continue to air on Scripps Stations. I do wonder if they will merge it with the Law&Crime OTA Network.
thedesk.net

Law&Crime says Court TV relocating to New York, not shutting down channel

Law&Crime Network plans to maintain Court TV's linear channel and grow its distribution agreements when the channel is handed off in mid-March.
thedesk.net thedesk.net
 
Megatron said:
I see a merger between Court TV & Law & Crime which I'd keep Court TV brand in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I was looking at what stations/subchannels carry Law & Crime. If I had to guess, I’d say Law & Order bought Court TV to get better channel positions.

And I think part of that would be merging the channels.

I think Court TV is the stronger brand, but they could probably make a strong business case for either.
 
newsmark said:
I was looking at what stations/subchannels carry Law & Crime. If I had to guess, I’d say Law & Order bought Court TV to get better channel positions.

And I think part of that would be merging the channels.

I think Court TV is the stronger brand, but they could probably make a strong business case for either.
Click to expand...

Given that much of Court TV's carriage is on the Ion stations, still owned by Scripps, unless and until we see something specific keeping the network on their stations after this transaction, I wouldn't bet either way.
 
newsmark said:
I was looking at what stations/subchannels carry Law & Crime. If I had to guess, I’d say Law & Order bought Court TV to get better channel positions.

And I think part of that would be merging the channels.

I think Court TV is the stronger brand, but they could probably make a strong business case for either.
Click to expand...
Is Law and Crime carried on many subchannels?
 
DavinaR said:
Is Law and Crime carried on many subchannels?
Click to expand...
according to their web page, on these stations: unclear if it's on a subchannel or only a stream. all but KIRO are on WXXX-Now, which appears to only be a stream although I am not 100% sure on that.
WFXT 25, Boston
KIRO 7, Seattle
WFTV 9, Orlando
WHIO 7, Dayton
WJAX 47, Jacksonville
WPXI 11, Pittsburgh
WSB 2, Atlanta
WSOC 9, Charlotte
 
amos1001 said:
according to their web page, on these stations: unclear if it's on a subchannel or only a stream. all but KIRO are on WXXX-Now, which appears to only be a stream although I am not 100% sure on that.
WFXT 25, Boston
KIRO 7, Seattle
WFTV 9, Orlando
WHIO 7, Dayton
WJAX 47, Jacksonville
WPXI 11, Pittsburgh
WSB 2, Atlanta
WSOC 9, Charlotte
Click to expand...
One to add to that list KPDF-cd in Phoenix Arizona carries it on 41-i8.
Oh and in Criple Creek Colorado its on KRDH-ld channel 5-4.
 


Back
Top Bottom