'Interview With a Killer' sets record with most-watched Court TV original series debut

Rhea-AI Summary

Court TV's new series 'Interview With a Killer' premiered on October 20, 2024, achieving record-breaking viewership as the network's most-watched original series debut. The show saw a 50% increase in Persons 2+ and 60% increase in P25-54 viewers, surpassing the previous record held by 'Someone They Knew With Tamron Hall'. Hosted by award-winning investigative reporter David Scott, the series features face-to-face interviews with five convicted murderers inside high-security prisons. New episodes air Sunday nights at 8 p.m., covering cases including honor killings, catfishing murders, and teenage crimes.

Positive

• Record-breaking viewership with 50% increase in Persons 2+ and 60% increase in P25-54 demographic
• Strong performance despite competing with major sports programming

Negative

• None.

Insights

Media Research Analyst

The record-breaking debut of "Interview With a Killer" demonstrates significant viewer engagement despite strong competition from major sporting events. The 50% increase in Persons 2+ viewership and 60% growth in the key P25-54 demographic indicates robust audience interest in true crime content. For E.W. Scripps (SSP), which owns Court TV, this success could translate into improved advertising revenue and network value.

The strategic scheduling and content pipeline, including upcoming episodes and other new series, suggests potential for sustained viewership growth. However, the true crime genre is highly competitive, with numerous streaming platforms and networks offering similar content. The show's success will need to maintain momentum to significantly impact SSP's overall performance, given Court TV is just one asset in their broader media portfolio.

ATLANTA, Oct. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The premiere of the newest Court TV (@CourtTV) original series "Interview With a Killer" on Sunday, October 20 is the network's most-watched original series debut.

Despite a night packed with high-profile sports programming, including Sunday Night Football, the National League Championship Series and WNBA Finals, the initial telecasts of "Interview With a Killer" was up +50% with Persons 2+ and +60% in P25-54, to become Court TV's top-performing original since the network began being Nielsen rated. The previous most-watched original series debut was "Someone They Knew With Tamron Hall" that aired on March 6, 2022.

"Interview With a Killer" takes viewers inside the walls of the country's highest-security prisons and inside the minds of some of the most-notorious convicted killers. Award-winning investigative reporter David Scott (ABC News, HBO's "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel") sits down, face-to-face with five murderers, four of whom have not spoken publicly about their convictions. Scott delves deeply into their psyches and confronts them about their heinous crimes. Ethan Nelson, head of Court TV, and Emmy-award winning producer Zach Toombs serve as executive producers.

New "Interview With a Killer" episodes premiere Sunday nights at 8 p.m. Upcoming cases include:

"Honor Killings" – October 27: Dubbed "honor killings" by the national media, the murder of two teenage girls near Dallas, Texas, sparked a nationwide manhunt for the prime suspect: their father. Now, for the first time since his conviction, Yaser Said talks about the night he fatally shot his daughters, the events leading up to the tragedy and how he managed to evade capture for over a decade.

"Catfishing for Murder" – November 3: Denali Brehmer agreed to kill her best friend for a man she met online offering millions for a murder. In this exclusive interview, Brehmer reveals she's far from a naive teen led astray by an outside influence. So, who was the predator and who was the prey in this catfishing crime?

"The Blackout Killer" – November 10: Bo Pete Jeffrey claimed no memory of the crime for which he was convicted, the brutal beating and murder of his wife. But now, four years into his life sentence, Jeffrey tells a different story.

"Teenage Rage" – November 17: Tyler Hadley was a troubled 17-year-old when he bludgeoned his mother and father to death with a hammer. In chilling detail, Hadley describes the shocking crime and how the idea took root in his mind.

Scott is a veteran investigative reporter whose work over the last three decades has garnered the industry's top honors including a Peabody Award, two Columbia DuPont Batons, and 14 Emmy Awards. Now, in a series of chilling face-to-face encounters, Scott turns his compelling, direct interviewing technique to convicted killers.

"Interview With a Killer" follows other fall primetime lineup announcements recently made by Court TV, including the new series "VPI: Vinnie Politan Investigates," hosted by popular Court TV lead anchor Vinnie Politan, along with the second season of "Victim to Verdict with Ted Rowlands." Additionally, Court TV continues to cover high-profile cases that dominate headlines, including the current trial for Sarah Boone, who is accused of zipping her boyfriend into a suitcase and leaving him to die.

Source: Nielsen Panel; NNTV; Live+SD; Interview with a Killer, October 20, 2024; P2+ and P25-54 gross delivery on the launch date on Court TV, 8pm premiere and 11pm encore telecasts and ION Plus 8pm telecast; comparison to Someone They Knew with Tamron Hall series launch on Court TV, March 6, 2022 at 9pm; Court TV Nielsen ratings began in 4Q21 (09/27-12/26/21)

Media contact: Jim Weiss, 770-672-6504, jim.weiss@scripps.com

About Court TV
Court TV (@CourtTV) is devoted to live trial coverage, in-depth legal and true-crime reporting and expert analysis of the nation's most important and compelling cases. The network is available to 97% of U.S. television homes free and over the air via digital antenna, on cable, on mobile with the Court TV app and online at CourtTV.com. It is also carried on connected TVs, including Samsung TV Plus and Vizio, and an expanding array of streaming services and apps, including YouTube TV, SiriusXM, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto TV, Apple TV, Sling and Uma. Court TV is part of The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP).

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SOURCE Court TV

FAQ

When did Court TV's 'Interview With a Killer' premiere?

The series premiered on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 8 p.m.

How did 'Interview With a Killer' perform compared to previous Court TV shows?

It became Court TV's most-watched original series debut, with viewership up 50% for Persons 2+ and 60% for P25-54 compared to previous records.

Who hosts 'Interview With a Killer' on Court TV?

The series is hosted by David Scott, an award-winning investigative reporter known for his work with ABC News and HBO's 'Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel'.

What is the format of Court TV's 'Interview With a Killer'?

The series features face-to-face interviews with convicted killers in high-security prisons, with four of the five subjects speaking publicly about their convictions for the first time.