A+E Networks EMEA is expanding further into the audio space by launching a collection of thought-provoking, original podcasts in the true-crime genre.
The brand-new podcast line targets listeners who are interested in original true crime storytelling, a genre which A+E Networks EMEA has been leading for over 15 years. The new podcasts follow the company’s strategy of commissioning digital-first true crime content from UK production companies to be aired on the company’s true crime channel Crime+Investigation, streaming service Crime+Investigation Play and distributed across social media video and podcast platforms.
The first of the podcasts – which launches on 15th November – is Courtroom Drama, produced by ITN Productions. Across five episodes, host Jackie Adedej and her cast of voice actors and legal, social, and psychological contributors, will discuss a number of high-profile celebrity courtroom cases. On the 16th of December, a co-produced special pilot with Raphael Rowe’s Second Chance podcast featuring reformed criminal Stephen Mee will be exclusively released in-vision on all Crime+Investigation channels, one week ahead of its general release on the independent Second Chance feed.
Raphael Rowe:
‘’I am excited to be working again with Crime+Investigation, this time both on and off-screen. Crime+Investigation produces some fantastic content within the true crime genre, and my relationship with the channel is a testament to the quality content that they have delivered for 15 years, giving their incredible audience insight into the complex and intriguing world of true crime.’’
Second Chance is a podcast series hosted by Raphael Rowe that explores the second chance theme. It raises the question of who deserves a second chance, who decides who gets a second chance, and what it means.
Produced by Cue Podcasts is Anatomy of a Stalker, which will be released on the 17th of January. Speaking to experts, key workers, victims, and those closest to the stalkers, host Ruchira Sharma will investigate what makes stalkers who they are in this five-part audio series.
Dan Korn, VP of Programming at A+E Networks EMEA:
‘Our goal is to bring our distinct creative storytelling beyond the screen and into people’s ears and headphones. These new releases will continue to offer an exciting opportunity to test innovative true crime formats and showcase compelling new storytelling techniques and talent in front of and behind the camera’’.
A+E Networks EMEA has also been commissioning series-based podcasts like Murdertown, which after its third run has achieved a total of two million listens, and Making a Monster: The Tapes, which hit the top spot on the Apple Podcasts’ true crime charts. This is alongside internally produced pilots, including Unwanted Attention featuring Morbidology’s Emily G Thompson and Inside Status with leading criminologist and star of Crime+Investigation’s Murder Detective Graham Hill.
In October 2023, a brand-new long-form audio interview podcast series #Dead2Me: The Interviews, produced by First Look TV, was released. In the podcast, criminologist Dr. Honor Doro Townshend leads interviews with those affected by the crimes, focusing on the key themes touched on in the long-form #Dead2Me series commissioned for Crime+Investigation. #Dead2Me is available to watch Crime+Investigation Play: https://watch.crimeandinvestigationplay.co.uk/
All Crime+Investigation podcasts – Courtroom Drama, Anatomy of a Stalker, Murdertown, and Making a Monster: The Tapes – are available on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Likewise, Raphael Rowe’s Second Chance is available to listen to as an independent feed through all podcast platforms.
Sam Pearson, Head of Digital Media at A+E Networks EMEA:
“We have been very successful in producing our podcasts in-house, and we are now thrilled to co-operate with production companies, and new and returning talent. Courtroom Drama, Anatomy of a Stalker, and Second Chance tackle topical themes that will be a hit with a range of true crime fans’’.
British Injustice with Raphael Rowe is a two-part Special commissioned by Crime+Investigation with Investigative Journalist Raphael Rowe, which takes a unique look at two of the most horrifying and gripping cases of wrongful conviction in recent criminal history. British Injustice with Raphael Rowe is available to watch on Crime+Investigation Play. A+E Networks EMEA launched the only true crime streaming service in the UK, Crime+Investigation Play, in September 2022.
