US cable network REELZ is expanding its primetime true crime offering through a programming agreement with Law&Crime that will bring three of the digital publisher’s original YouTube series to linear television.
From August 17, REELZ will schedule one-hour episodes of Bodycam, Most Outrageous Crimes and Interrogations as part of a dedicated Monday evening block.
The deal sees REELZ license a trio of established digital-first series that have built audiences on YouTube, underlining the continued interest among broadcasters and cable networks in securing proven online programming with established fan bases.
Law&Crime, which was founded by Dan Abrams, has grown into one of YouTube’s largest true crime and legal news brands, attracting around 12 million subscribers across its channels. Earlier this year the company expanded its television footprint through the acquisition of Court TV from E.W. Scripps.
REELZ and Law&Crime have already built a firm relationship. Last year, they partnered on the launch of a YouTube channel for REELZ On Patrol: Live, which is hosted by Dan Abrams and features highlights from the network’s live policing series. That channel currently has around 196,000 subscribers
