Law & Crime Network Acquires Court TV in $30 Million Deal

The E.W. Scripps Company has agreed to sell Court TV to Law & Crime, a multiplatform true crime and legal content studio owned by Jellysmack, for $30 million. The acquisition marks a significant shift in the media landscape, as legacy television brands continue to adapt to digital-first platforms.

Strategic Move for Law & Crime

Law & Crime, founded by ABC News Chief Legal Analyst Dan Abrams, will leverage Court TV as a hub for all trial content, and coverage. The deal, announced on February 9, 2026, will maintain Court TV as a distinct brand even as integrating it into Law & Crime’s existing network of platforms, which includes two Prompt channels, multiple streaming partners, and a substantial social media presence with 25 YouTube channels boasting over 7 million subscribers [Scripps Press Release].

Scripps’ Rationale for the Sale

E.W. Scripps initially relaunched Court TV in May 2019 after acquiring the rights from Turner Broadcasting. According to Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson, the sale aligns with the company’s long-term strategy of identifying evolving consumer behavior and strategically positioning its assets for maximum value. [Scripps Press Release] Symson stated the Court TV brand is a “natural complement” to Law & Crime’s existing content library.

Court TV’s Legacy and Recent Coverage

Court TV has a history of providing gavel-to-gavel coverage of high-profile trials, including the O.J. Simpson and Menendez brothers cases. More recently, under Scripps’ ownership, the network covered the trials of Derek Chauvin, Alex Murdaugh, and the defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard [Crime and Cask], [Deadline].

Industry Trend: Digital-First Acquisitions

Dan Abrams highlighted a broader industry trend, noting a reversal from the past where legacy media companies acquired digital-first outlets. He described the acquisition as a digital-first true-crime company acquiring a legacy media brand [Crime and Cask].

Looking Ahead

The acquisition is expected to strengthen Law & Crime’s position in the true crime and legal content market, while allowing Scripps to focus on other strategic initiatives. Abrams intends to maintain the distinct identity of Court TV, positioning it as the central hub for all trial-related content within the Law & Crime network [Deadline].