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Court TV(R), the Network Which Inspired TV Trial Coverage in the U.S. Kicks off Its 15th Year
PASADENA, Calif., July 14 -- Court TV, the network which
paved the way for legal journalism and inspired television trial coverage
as we know it, kicks off its 15th year this month. Court TV launched its
first on-air broadcast on July 1, 1991 with a simple goal: to shed light on
the American system of justice by putting cameras in the nation's
courtrooms. Since then, the network has become recognized as the authority
on legal news as have its dynamic roster of anchors and correspondents who
have appeared on virtually every network news and entertainment program to
comment on legal issues.
Over the past decade and a half, Court TV has covered some of the
biggest legal proceedings, and among the most controversial trials -- OJ
Simpson, Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant,
Saddam Hussein, William Kennedy Smith, Michael Skakel, Eric and Lyle
Menendez, Mary Kay Letourneau and many, many more. Court TV, which has
covered more than 900 trials to-date, has been instrumental in campaigning
for camera access in courts around the country, including the highest court
in the land, the Supreme Court of the United States.
The network has evolved tremendously over the last 15 years. In 1998,
Court TV, originally known for its unprecedented live comprehensive
coverage of courtroom trials, expanded its legal and justice format by
introducing several non-fiction series, documentaries, specials and
original movies to the evening schedule. Among Court TV's most successful
primetime signature series include Forensic Files(R), Psychic
Detectives(SM) and Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice(SM). Since
its inception, Court TV has become one of the most successful basic cable
networks in the industry, having grown from 30 million subscribers to its
current status of nearly 86 million subscribers.
In 2005, Court TV re-branded the network to differentiate its daytime
and primetime programming. The daytime block, continuing to feature
in-depth coverage of trials and legal proceedings, was named Court TV News
-- The Whole Truth(SM), while primetime added the tagline Seriously
Entertaining(SM), reflecting the network's successful investigation-related
programming. As part of this new brand, Court TV launched a non-fiction,
prime time programming block of action-packed shows known as RED (Real,
Exciting & Dramatic) for viewers looking for high-stakes programming. RED
has taken Court to new heights, and the results are glowing.
This past June, Court TV concluded the most-watched 2nd quarter in its
history by delivering 357,000 A18-49 viewers in prime time, up 17 percent
versus year-ago, putting Court TV on track to complete its most watched
year ever. Driving this surge are new series such as Haunting Evidence(SM),
to which 4.4 million viewers tuned in for the premiere episode. Also, Court
TV's RED, the network's weeknight 8p.m. action strip, wrapped up the 2nd
quarter in 2006, ranking 9th among all ad-supported cable networks in
adults 18-49. Court TV RED helped make this the most-watched 2nd quarter in
the network's history for male viewing.
2006 is Court TV's most-watched year ever to-date. The network's prime
time is delivering best-ever figures among total viewers (876,000),
households (689,000) and adults 18-49 (377,000).
Court TV(R), a Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. company, provides a
window on the American system of justice through distinctive programming
that both informs and entertains. Seen in 86 million U.S. homes, Court TV
Networks(SM) is comprised of Court TV News(SM), which provides live trial
coverage in daytime; Court TV: Seriously Entertaining(SM) in prime time,
featuring investigative drama, expert reality and compelling non-fiction
series; and Court TV Extra(SM), a subscription Web-based service offering
viewers an interactive opportunity to watch multiple live trials on the
Internet, while accessing the tremendous resources of Court TV Online(SM).
The Court TV Web sites can be accessed via http://www.courttv.com.
SOURCE Court TV
http://www.courttv.com
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