Okay, I’ve been following Court TV for more than a couple of months now. Why? Because the former cable TV station has gone over the air in 26 markets across the country. As a cord-cutter myself, I was impressed that Katz Networks, Court TV’s parent company, made such a commitment, and investment, OTA programming. That investment has just gotten bigger with the corporation’s recent announcement of 19 new markets for Court TV. Now more cord-cutters can enjoy the channel’s unique brand of true crime content.
Where is Court TV Transmitting?
Glad you asked. (Technically, I assumed that you asked but I’m not here to split hairs.) Here are the newest markets to carry Court TV over the air:
- New York – Channel 11.3 (WPIX)
- Los Angeles – Channel 5.3 (KTLA)
- Chicago – Channel 9.3 (WGN)
- Philadelphia – Channel 17.3 (WPHL)
- Dallas – Channel 33.3 (KDAF)
- Houston – Channel 39.3 (KIAH)
- Seattle-Tacoma – Channel 13.2 (KCPQ)
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale – Channel 39.4 (WSFL)
- Denver – Channel 2.2 (KWGN)
- Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto – Channel 40.3 (KTXL)
- Portland – Channel 32.3 (KRCW)
- Indianapolis – Channel 59.3 (WXIN)
- San Diego – Channel 69.3 (KSWB)
- Kansas City – Channel 4.3 (WDAF)
- Hartford-New Haven – Channel 20.2 (WCCT)
- Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport News – Channel 3.2 (WTKR)
- Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek – Channel 17.3 (WXMI)
- New Orleans – Channel 38.2 (WNOL)
- Des Moines-Ames – Channel 13.4 (WHO)
If you’re a cord-cutter who lives in these cities, you just got a new sub-channel. I hope you like true crime programming. (I know I do!)
Court TV: the History
This channel launched in 1991 as Court TV. It quickly became known for its true crime documentaries, legal dramas, and more. It had many popular shows including Homicide: Life on the Street, Cops, and Forensic Files. It also covered prominent criminal cases like the Menendez brothers’ first trial (1994) and the O.J. Simpson murder trial (1995). In 2007, the network rebranded itself as truTV, then Court TV went off the air in 2008. This was a huge disappointment to many people who loved its unique programming.
Court TV is available over the air in these markets:
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Houston
- Miami-Fort Lauderdale
- Denver
- St. Louis
- Seattle-Tacoma
- Washington
- Sacramento
- Tampa, FL
- Detroit
- Cleveland
- Cincinnati
- Las Vegas
- Tulsa, OK
- Green Bay
- Tucson
- Boston
- Orlando
- Wichita
- San Antonio
- Albuquerque
- Bakersfield
On May 8, 2019, Court TV came back to the small screen. Network execs rebranded it as an OTA channel that’s available in a variety of TV markets across the country. Court TV expanded its reach on September 30, 2019 with the release of a second channel, Court TV Mystery. The channel will be home to a lot of Court TV-like content. This continues to give millions of viewers additional access to the network’s popular true-crime programming. Best of all, Court TV Mystery is also an OTA channel for cord-cutters to enjoy.
I’ve Said This Before, But…
…I’m hoping Court TV has started a trend. Wouldn’t it be great if more popular networks relaunched as OTA channels on local sub-channels? I believe more networks should invest in creating new OTA channels. It could bring more positive attention to OTA TV and cord-cutting. This could help people realize that TV antennas are more relevant now than they’ve ever been. People might also stop forking over their hard-earned money to cable TV companies. They don’t deserve it!
I know that my fantasy of new OTA networks popping up on sub-channels might be just that. There’s a good chance that many sub-channels might go away. It’s all part of the FCC’s ongoing “repack.” Frankly, I wish some of the channels on these sub-channels would go away. Retro programming from the 1970s is cool, but too much of it could give people the impression that TV antennas are outdated. That’s a huge mistake because these devices could be the future, or at least a big part of it.
Aren’t I the “Streaming Guy?”
I write a weekly column here called Streaming Saturday so many people think that’s the only way I watch TV. Not true. I got a TV antenna shortly after joining the Signal Connect team. (Based on my remote rural location, Stuart Sweet actually recommended a long-range yagi antenna. He also talked me through the installation over the phone.) So, I’m also a cord-cutter. Why am I mentioned streaming now? To remind you that you can stream Court TV for free on Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV.
