Law&Crime

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Law & Crime
FormerlyLawNewz
TypePrivate
IndustryNews media, production company
GenreTrue crime
FoundedJanuary 16, 2016
FounderDan Abrams
Headquarters
Herald Square, Manhattan
,
United States
Key people
Rachel Stockman
RevenueRise $13 million+ (2020)[1]
OwnerJellysmack
Number of employees
55[1]
SubsidiariesCourt TV
Websitelawandcrime.com

Law & Crime, previously known as LawNewz,[2] is an American production company that produces legal and true crime content, as well as live-streams of trials on its YouTube channel. The company produces and distributes content to various streaming and television platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Investigation Discovery, A&E Network, HBO and Fox.[3] Its headquarters are located in Herald Square, Manhattan.[4]

The company was launched in 2016 by American entrepreneur Dan Abrams as legal news website LawNewz. It was rebranded as Law & Crime in November 2017 following a deal with the A&E Network.[5] In October 2023, Law & Crime was sold to company Jellysmack which expanded its documentary film production division.[3][6] In February 2026, E. W. Scripps Company sold television network Court TV to Law & Crime.[7] The acquisition made Law & Crime the largest outlet specializing in true crime online.[8]

History

Launch as LawNewz

On January 16, 2016, American entrepreneur Dan Abrams launched legal news website LawNewz. In a video, Abrams said that the website was "long time in the making”. The website published legal analysis of various criminal cases provided by an editorial team consisting of lawyers and journalists, and live-streamed high-profile trials.[9] The website had 3 employees at the time of the launch.[10] In February 2017, Dan Abrams expanded LawNewz and created LawNewz video network, which live-streamed, and analyzed high-profile criminal cases in a studio, broadcasting from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.[11] Live streaming of high-profile trials, such as O.J. Simpson's parole hearing, drove growth of LawNewz in 2017, the website was visited 1.64 million times in September of that year.[5]

Rebranding as Law & Crime and expansion

In November 2017, satellite television network A&E Network made substantial minority investment in LawNewz, reportedly valuing the outlet at $15 million.[5] As part of the deal, LawNewz was rebranded as Law & Crime. A&E Network and Law & Crime agreed to collaborate on live-streaming of trials and production of documentaries.[2][12] In January 2018, legal scholar and former Fox News reporter Lis Wiehl joined Law & Crime as anchor and analyst.[13] In April 2018, Law & Crime launched its mobile app for iOS and Android devices.[14] In August 2018, investigative journalist Brian Ross announced himself joining Law & Crime as chief investigative reporter. He became the host of the company's weekly program "Brian Ross Investigates".[15]

In February 2021, Dan Abrams said that Law & Crime has started expanding internationally after financial success. Law & Crime has been in talks with several TV manufacturers, including Samsung, to distribute its app on their smart TVs outside the US and Canada. Axios reported that the company's revenue exceeded $13 million in 2020, making it profitable for the first time.[1] With 55 employees, the company has become the largest within Dan Abrams' Abrams Media, surpassing outlets such as The Mary Sue.[16]

Reportedly, YouTube channel of Law & Crime experienced its biggest surge in popularity in 2022 when it live-streamed Johny Depp trial.[10] Between April and May 2022, the channel gained 2 million subscribers. The livestream was viewed by 300,000 concurrent users. The channel later posted small clips of the trial on YouTube, which garnered millions of views and generated ad revenue.[17]

In June 2022, Law & Crime expanded its Herald Square headquarters in Manhattan by 6,300 square feet, allowing it to utilize an entire floor of the 11-story building it occupied.[4] In March 2023, Law & Crime announced it would expand its social media presence by partnering with and acquiring multiple true crime YouTube channels.[18]

Acquisition by Jellysmack

On October 10, 2023, Law & Crime was bought by company Jellysmack for an undisclosed amount. As part of the deal, Law & Crime expanded its documentary film production division, Law & Crime Productions. Management team of Law & Crime was kept, with Dan Abrams continuing to be the company's director.[3][6] The deal was reported to value Law & Crime at nine figures.[19]

In March 2026, Law & Crime launched a paid subscription service called "Law&Crime+" which allowed users to access crime investigation materials, including uncensored crime scene footage and official court documents, for $3.99 per month.[20]

In February 2026, E.W. Scripps Company announced the sale of television network Court TV to Law & Crime's parent company, Jellysmack, giving control of the network to Law & Crime.[21] Dan Abrams told The New York Times that Court TV would be transformed into a "YouTube and digital-media-first business" and that most of its employees would be laid off. Dozens of Court TV employees later reported being fired.[22][23] Abrams assured that Court TV will remain a separate brand, not part of Law & Crime.[24]

In an interview with TheDesk, Law & Crime President Rachel Stockman said Jellysmack acquired Court TV because it wanted to distribute Court TV's archive of more than 3,000 recordings of criminal trials to the internet. He said the archive will be repurposed by Law & Crime to produce live-streams and on-demand videos on platforms such as YouTube.[8]

Partnerships

In March 2020, Law & Crime made an agreement with television service providers Cincinnati Bell and Verizon Fios to broadcast its content in areas served by them, reaching over 5 million households. The Hollywood Reporter described the deal as the company's "biggest cable carriage deal to date".[25] In March 2021, content of Law & Crime became available on streaming services Redbox and Peacock.[26][27]

In November 2021, Law & Crime entered into a multi-year partnership with Cineflix Rights to produce a documentary series consisting of 50 hour-long episodes.[28] In March 2022, Law & Crime made a deal with satellite television provider Dish Network to be available on its network, which numbers 27 million households.[29] In October 2022, Cox Media Group agreed to air Law & Crime content on eight local television stations it operates.[30] In June 2023, true crime content creator Annie Elise partnered with Law & Crime to distribute her videos to the company's YouTube Channel.[31]

In February 2025, Cineflix Rights extended its partnership with Law & Crime and announced greenlight of two true crime documentary series, each consisting of ten episodes. The two series contained 30 hours of content in total.[32][33]

Incidents

On March 17, 2021, during the trial of Derek Chauvin, Law & Crime filed a false advertising lawsuit against television network Court TV for claiming in press releases that they were "the only multiplatform network devoted to live, gavel-to-gavel coverage, in-depth legal reporting and expert analysis of the nation’s most important and compelling trials". Law & Crime alleged that the claims led to its partners asking if it would live-stream the trial.[34] On July 20, 2021, Court TV settled the lawsuit and issued an apology on its website, saying that its claims were incorrect and misleading.[35]

In October 2024, an intruder broke into Law & Crime headquarters in Herald Square and stole $30,000 worth of the company's production equipment.[36] A suspect was later arrested in New Jersey after attempting to pawn the stolen devices.[37]

Content

Law & Crime provides true crime content, such as videos analysing criminal cases and live-streams of major trials in the United States.[38] The company distributes content in four different ways: through its official website "lawandcrime.com", its production company Law & Crime Productions, social media accounts, and over-the-top media services. Rachel Stockman, one of the first employees of LawNewz, described the company's method of distributing its content as "360 approach". She said that one of the most important aspects of the company's approach is its active presence on social media. Law & Crime has accounts on YouTube, Tiktok and SnapChat.[10]

Series

Series produced by Law & Crime Productions were sold to television platforms such as Netflix and Hulu. One of its documentary series, Unveiled: Surviving La Luz Del Mundo, was nominated for an Emmy award.[3] The studio produced television series Court Cam, which aired on A&E Network.[39] In April 2023, Law & Crime acquired the 158-episode reality show Cops Reloaded and made it available for viewing on its platforms, with clips from the show available on its YouTube channel.[40][41] On March 24, 2024 Law & Crime announced the launch of documentary series “Cult Justice” on Hulu that analyzed various crimes involving leaders of cults and interviewed law enforcement officials who investigated them.[42]

Law & Crime produces Prime Crime, a weekly program hosted by attorney Jesse Weber that examines various crime stories across the United States. It was created in 2022 and is available on Peacock.[43][44] The program is broadcast by 61 televison stations owned by companies such as Nexstar Media Group, Cox Media Group, Hearst Television and Mission Broadcasting.[43]

Programming

Law & Crime broadcasts multiple original series:[45]

  • Cops Reloaded
  • Jail
  • Bodycam by Law&Crime
  • Interrogations by Law&Crime
  • Most Outrageous Crimes
  • Police Pursuits by Law&Crime
  • Law&Crime Investigates
  • Cult of Personality
  • The Serial Psyche
  • Coptales...

References

  1. Fischer, Sara (February 2, 2021). "Law&Crime plans global expansion, podcast network". Axios.
  2. Hayes, Dade (November 13, 2017). "A+E Networks Pushes Deeper Into True Crime, Teams With Dan Abrams' LawNewz". Deadline Hollywood.
  3. Spangler, Todd (October 10, 2023). "Dan Abrams' Law&Crime Network Acquired by Video Company Jellysmack". Variety.
  4. "Dan Abrams' Law & Crime Network doubles size of office space". New York Real Estate Journal. June 28, 2022.
  5. Alpert, Lukas (November 13, 2017). "A+E Networks Takes Stake in Dan Abrams's Live Trial Website". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660.
  6. Fischer, Sara (Oct 10, 2023). "Exclusive: Jellysmack acquires Law&Crime Network". Axios.
  7. Keller, Erin (February 11, 2026). "Court TV is laying off dozens of staff after sale to its longtime rival". The Independent.
  8. Keys, Matthew (February 13, 2026). "Law&Crime Buys Court TV to Boost True-Crime Content". TheDesk.
  9. Kludt, Tom (January 19, 2016). "Dan Abrams launches LawNewz website". CNN Money. Archived from the original on January 23, 2016.
  10. Carroll, Krystina (December 11, 2023). "Law & Crime Network Eyes Expansion in Growing Genre". Barrett Media.
  11. Gutelle, Sam (February 24, 2017). "ABC News Contributor Dan Abrams Launches Online Video Network For Court Coverage". Tubefilter.
  12. Nakamura, Reid (November 13, 2017). "A+E Networks Partners With Dan Abrams to Rebrand LawNewz as Law&Crime Network". TheWrap.
  13. Stelter, Brian (January 29, 2018). "Former Fox analyst Lis Wiehl lands new reporting gig at 'Law & Crime'". WRAL News.
  14. Umstead, Thomas (April 2, 2018). "Law & Crime Network Launches Mobile App". Multichannel News.
  15. Desantis, Rachel (August 20, 2018). "Brian Ross joins Dan Abrams' Law & Crime Network after two decades at ABC". New York Daily News.
  16. Sarnoff, Marisa (February 4, 2021). "Abrams Media Plans Expansion of Law&Crime Network". Mediaite.
  17. Luna, Elizabeth (October 11, 2023). "Jellysmack acquires Law&Crime Network, YouTube channel made popular by Depp v. Heard trial". Mashable.
  18. Gruenwedel, Erik (March 24, 2023). "YouTube's 'Law & Crime' Channel Enhances Content Offerings". Media Play News.
  19. Bahney, Jennifer (October 10, 2023). "Dan Abrams' Law&Crime Acquired in Reported Nine Figure Deal". Mediaite.
  20. Maglio, Tony (March 24, 2026). "Law&Crime Is Launching Subscription Service Offering Access to "Uncensored" Evidence". The Hollywood Reporter.
  21. Hirsch, Lauren (February 9, 2026). "Court TV, Known for Live Trial Coverage, Is Getting a New Owner". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
  22. Kiesewetter, John (February 10, 2026). "Scripps selling Court TV to Dan Abrams' Law&Crime operation". WVXU.
  23. Keller, Erin (February 11, 2026). "Court TV is laying off dozens of staff after sale to its longtime rival". The Independent.
  24. Hayes, Dade (February 9, 2026). "Court TV Acquired By Dan Abrams' Studio Law & Crime". Deadline Hollywood.
  25. Porter, Rick (March 25, 2020). "Dan Abrams' Law & Crime Network Snags Verizon Carriage Deal". The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. Sanderson, Kirk (March 18, 2021). "'Law & Crime' Network Arrives on Redbox Free Live TV". Media Play News.
  27. Katz, A.J. (March 5, 2021). "NBCU's Peacock Adds Law&Crime Network In Advance of George Floyd Murder Trial". Adweek.
  28. Lafayette, Jon (November 10, 2021). "Tegna, Law&Crime, Cineflix in Deal To Produce True Crime Programming". Broadcasting & Cable.
  29. Maas, Jennifer (March 8, 2022). "Law & Crime Channel Launches on Dish Network, Founder Dan Abrams Still Hopes to Revive 'Live PD' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  30. Keys, Matthew (October 31, 2022). "Cox Media adds Law & Crime Network to websites, apps". TheDesk.
  31. Gutelle, Sam (June 6, 2023). "Annie Elise is "your true crime bff," and her videos are coming to the Law&Crime Network". Tubefilter.
  32. Anderson, Justin (February 3, 2025). "Cineflix Rights extends licensing partnership with Law&Crime Productions". Realscreen.
  33. Pinto, Jordan (February 4, 2025). "Law&Crime and Cineflix Rights greenlight two new true crime series under expanded partnership". C21 Media.
  34. Gardner, Eriq (March 17, 2021). "Derek Chauvin Trial: Law&Crime Sues Court TV for Claiming Exclusive Coverage". The Hollywood Reporter.
  35. "Law&Crime Network, Court TV settle lawsuit". Advanced Television. July 20, 2021.
  36. Mohr, Ian (October 10, 2024). "Burglar steals $30K in equipment from Law&Crime studios". Page Six.
  37. Mastrangelo, Dominick (October 16, 2024). "New York City offices of Mediaite, Law and Crime Network robbed". The Hill.
  38. Venkatesh, Pranav (April 7, 2026). "Where to watch Law & Crime Network? Live stream TV providers, subscription plans and costs". Goal.com.
  39. Nakamura, Reid (January 30, 2020). "A&E Renews Dan Abrams' 'Court Cam' for Season 2". TheWrap.
  40. Maas, Jennifer (April 6, 2023). "'Cops Reloaded' Acquired by Dan Abrams' Law&Crime Network". Variety.
  41. Umstead, Thomas (April 7, 2023). "Law&Crime Network Secures 'Cops Reloaded'". Multichannel News.
  42. Gruenwedel, Erik (March 28, 2024). "New Law&Crime Series on Notorious Cult Leaders Launching on Hulu". Media Play News.
  43. Lafayette, Jon (September 9, 2021). "Law&Crime Launching Second Syndicated Series 'Prime Crime' With Litton". Broadcasting & Cable.
  44. Gordon, Ilana; Jacobsen, Kevin; Mercadante, James (January 3, 2026). "The 20 best true crime shows on Peacock to keep you guessing". Entertainment Weekly.
  45. "Our Programming". Law & Crime. 28 August 2020. Retrieved June 20, 2026.