What Happened to Court TV Live?

The Courtroom Television Network, widely known as Court TV, first launched on July 1, 1991, with a groundbreaking mission to bring live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of criminal and civil trials directly into American homes. Founded by legal publisher Steven Brill, the network quickly gained prominence through its comprehensive reporting on high-profile cases such as the Menendez brothers' trials in 1993 and the O.J. Simpson murder trial in 1995, which captivated national audiences. This innovative approach, combining unfiltered courtroom footage with expert legal analysis, established Court TV as a unique and influential voice in legal journalism.

Over time, ownership of Court TV evolved. Time Warner acquired full control of the network in 2006, and by 2007, a strategic shift was announced. The decision was made to rebrand Court TV as truTV, effective January 1, 2008, moving away from its exclusive legal focus towards a broader array of action-oriented reality programming. While some legal programming, branded as 'In Session,' remained during daytime hours, the core identity of Court TV was effectively retired from cable television for over a decade.

The resurgence of public interest in true crime and legal dramas, fueled by streaming services and podcasts, created a void that The E.W. Scripps Company sought to fill. In December 2018, Scripps' Katz Networks acquired Court TV's intellectual property, including its extensive 100,000-hour trial library, from Turner Broadcasting. The network officially relaunched on May 8, 2019, as a digital broadcast television network, returning to its original format of live trial coverage, in-depth legal reporting, and expert analysis. The relaunched Court TV brought back original anchor Vinnie Politan and covered significant cases like the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault trial and the Kyle Rittenhouse case.

In a major development in early 2026, The E.W. Scripps Company announced on February 9, 2026, that it had reached an agreement to sell Court TV to Law&Crime, a multiplatform true crime and legal content studio founded by ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams and owned by Jellysmack. This acquisition, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, is seen as a strategic move to further integrate Court TV into a digital-first media landscape while preserving its distinctive brand. Dan Abrams, who began his career at the original Court TV, expressed a commitment to continuing its tradition of providing an inside look at important trials, with Court TV becoming a central hub for all trial content under Law&Crime.

As of August 28, 2026, Court TV continues to operate, albeit with some reported adjustments during the transition period. While some internal communications in February 2026 suggested a scaling back of certain live broadcasts and YouTube streams, Law&Crime executives, including President Rachel Stockman and founder Dan Abrams, have publicly affirmed their commitment to maintaining live trial coverage and related programming for Court TV. The network actively covers ongoing trials, such as the Duane 'Keffe D' Davis trial related to Tupac Shakur's murder, demonstrating its continued dedication to live courtroom action. The sale to Law&Crime aims to position Court TV for long-term success and growth, particularly in new media distribution, ensuring its legacy of transparent legal reporting endures.