NEW YORK, NY – November 13, 2017 – A+E Networks and Abrams Media jointly announced today a strategic programming partnership and investment focused on the website and live streaming trial and law network, LawNewz.com and the LawNewz Network. The website and streaming network will re-brand as LawAndCrime.com and Law & Crime Network, and collaborate with A+E Networks to develop and produce live trial coverage, in addition to new original documentary programming. As a result of the deal, LawNewz will undergo a major expansion and re-branding for the leader in live trial coverage.
“We are thrilled that A+E Networks will be helping us expand our distribution to every OTT platform, upgrade our programming capabilities and create first-to-market native advertising opportunities and events,” said Dan Abrams, founder of LawandCrime.com. “With the enormous popularity of true crime programming and the interest in legal stories increasing exponentially in the past few years, what better way to follow these stories then to watch the trials live as they actually happen.”
“A+E Networks has a long legacy as a leader in true crime and justice programming, including the #1 true crime series of 2017, Live PD, hosted by Dan Abrams,” said Rob Sharenow, President, Programming, A+E Networks. “We are looking forward to partnering with Dan and his team to create new and innovative trial programming to further super serve our viewers’ demands for more in depth true crime coverage and analysis.”
The trial network launched in March 2017 to over 2 million views in its first month and has grown from there including more than 50,000 live concurrent viewers during the peak of the OJ Simpson parole hearing in July. Other live trials the network has covered in its first seven months include: the murder trial of New England Patriots star Aaron Hernandez, the re-trial of Dalia Dippolito, the Michelle Carter “suicide texting” trial and the murder trial of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing.
Law & Crime will continue to be led day to day by Editor-in- Chief Rachel Stockman, a veteran reporter and Yale Law graduate. The network features a talented and experienced lineup of anchors, all with law degrees, who have been appearing on national news programs including CNN, HLN, Fox News, ABC News, CBS News, and a number of nationally syndicated programs and radio shows.
Law & Crime is part of the Abrams Media Network of web properties, but the investment and equity purchase only applies to Law & Crime Network and LawandCrime.com.
