Court TV was relaunched in 2019 as a digital broadcast network after it was originally shut down in 2007 and rebranded as truTV.
Court TV first launched in 1991 and was dedicated to airing court trials and legal programming. It gained significant popularity by covering high-profile cases, such as the O.J. Simpson murder trial. However, in 2007, the channel was rebranded as truTV by its then-parent company, Turner Broadcasting System, with a new focus on reality series and caught-on-video programs, moving away from its legal roots.
Despite the rebranding, the fascination with true crime and court cases persisted. Recognizing this sustained interest, Katz Networks, a division of E.W. Scripps Company, decided to revive the Court TV brand. In May 2019, Court TV was relaunched as a free over-the-air television network. The new iteration of Court TV promised to return to its original mission of providing live gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting, and expert analysis of the nation’s most important and compelling trials.
The network’s revival was timely, as there has been a resurgence in the public’s interest in the legal system and true crime stories, fueled by documentaries, podcasts, and television series. Court TV’s relaunch aimed to cater to this audience by offering a 24/7 platform dedicated to legal news and trials, accessible to viewers without a cable subscription. The channel is available on various platforms, including cable, satellite, and digital streaming, ensuring that the legacy of Court TV continues in the modern media landscape.