Court TV(R), the Network Which Inspired TV Trial Coverage in the U.S. Kicks off Its 15th Year

Court TV(R), the Network Which Inspired TV Trial Coverage in the U.S. Kicks off Its 15th Year

PASADENA, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- 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/.

Contact:
Vicky Kahn 212-973-7944 kahnv@courttv.com
Andie Silvers-Scher 212-973-7532 silversa@courttv.com

Source: Court TV

CONTACT: Vicky Kahn, +1-212-973-7944, kahnv@courttv.com, or Andie
Silvers-Scher, +1-212-973-7532, silversa@courttv.com, both of Court TV

Web site: http://www.courttv.com/

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