A&E NETWORK'S INDUSTRY-LEADING CRIME & JUSTICE PROGRAMS RETURN ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5

SEASON 15 OF 'THE FIRST 48' DEBUTS WITH ITS 300TH EPISODE AT 9 PM ET/PT

HIT ORIGINAL SERIES 'NIGHTWATCH' RETURNS FOR A SECOND SEASON AT 10PM ET/PT

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 8, 2015 - A&E Network brings its critically-acclaimed original non-fiction crime slate back for all new seasons this fall. The long-running and profoundly compelling series, 'The First 48,' returns for its 15th season on Thursday, November 5 at 9 PM ET/PT. Immediately following at 10 PM ET/PT is the second season premiere of 'Nightwatch,' from executive producer Dick Wolf, which follows elite teams of emergency responders in New Orleans as they brave the busiest time of the day; the perilous overnight shift.

'The First 48,' the most watched non-fiction crime series on cable, enters its 15th season of real-life investigations with unprecedented access to crime scenes, forensic processing and interrogations. Homicide detectives from the nation's top police departments in cities like Minneapolis, Tulsa, Atlanta and New Orleans are followed in real time during the critical first 48 hours of a murder investigation. The story unfolds as they race to find leads, witnesses, and evidence - before they disappear. And the clock is ticking.

In the 300th episode and season 15 premiere of 'The First 48,' a young woman is found on the floor of an abandoned house; naked and strangled to death. As the investigation unfolds Atlanta-based detectives Scott DeMeester and Vincent Velasquez must act fast before their suspect kills again.

'Nightwatch' is set in the historic city of New Orleans, where police officers, fire fighters and EMT's working the overnight shift answer as many as a thousand emergency calls a night. The series follows multiple sets of partners in the New Orleans Emergency Medical Services unit who cover the intense and unpredictable period from 8 PM to 4 AM as they battle time and circumstance to save lives. The skills, dedication and determination that these critical and dangerous jobs require are on full display nightly while each new traumatic call comes in. As the city's heroes, one thing remains clear - the job of an emergency responder in NOLA is not only about saving lives, it's being there as a support system for the community of people in this diverse and inspiring city.

In the new season of 'Nightwatch,' the overnight shift in the city of New Orleans continues to bring extreme and complex incidents to the EMS teams. Season two highlights include a dire situation at Mardi Gras for EMT's Titus and Dan when they must race to save an 18-year old who has suffered a through and through gunshot wound to the head. SWAT officers Jay and Alley enter into a high speed chase that becomes potentially devastating when the driver in pursuit opens fire on them. And things take a bizarre turn when officer Keeley responds to a woman whose eyeball has been bitten out in street fight. But when one of their own, a beloved officer is killed on duty, the whole city comes together in true New Orleans fashion in celebration of his life and years of service.

In its first season, 'Nightwatch' averaged 1.3 million total viewers and is currently A&E's #1 new series of 2015 across all key demos. It's the second most watched crime non-fiction series on cable, behind 'The First 48.'

"The First 48" is produced by ITV Studios America for A&E Network. The Executive Producer for ITV Studios America are John X. Kim and Alexis Robie. Executive producers for A&E are Laura Fleury and Peter Tarshis.

"Nightwatch" is produced by Wolf Reality ("Law & Order" branded series, "Chicago Fire"/"Chicago PD," "Cold Justice") and 44 Blue Productions ("Wahlburgers," "Donnie Loves Jenny") for A&E Network. Executive producers for Wolf Reality are Dick Wolf and Tom Thayer. Executive producer for 44 Blue Productions is Rasha Drachkovitch. Executive producers for A&E Network are Shelly Tatro and Devon Hammonds.

About A&E Network

Now reaching more than 96 million homes, A&E is the home to quality original content that inspires and challenges audiences to BE ORIGINAL. A&E offers a diverse mix of uniquely immersive entertainment ranging from the network's original scripted series, including "Bates Motel" and "Damien" to signature non-fiction franchises, including "Duck Dynasty," "Wahlburgers" and "Storage Wars." The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV.