Three executives from three major television networks have joined forces to launch the Justice Network in January with help from Gannett Broadcasting, which will provide the network to homes in approximately one-third of the country.
CEO Steve Schiffman, the former president of National Geographic Channels, leads a team consisting of head of distribution Barry Wallach, former president of NBCUniversal Domestic TV Distribution, head of programming John Ford, former president of Discovery Channel and COO Wendy Brown, formerly of CSE.
Lonnie Cooper, a founder of Bounce TV, founded the network with free over-the-air multicast network with carriage on MSOs.
The Justice Network will feature gripping stories of true crime and aim to make communities safer by empowering viewers to take action.
Working in partnership with Crime Stoppers USA, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other law enforcement agencies, the Justice Network will dedicate 90 seconds to public service every hour.
The PSA coverage will include 30-second spots dedicated to locating missing children, providing safety tips and locating the “Bad Person of the Week.”
Some programs airing on the network include “Body of Evidence,” “Masterminds,” “The Investigators,” “Psychic Detectives,” “I, Detective,” “LA Forensics” and “Missing Persons Unit.” Watch a trailer for programming above.
“Recognizing that by 2013, half of the top 50-rated prime shows on television were justice-oriented programming, our management team saw the need to satisfy America’s obsession with justice,” Schiffman said in a statement. “We are proud to be a part of this unique multicast network’s efforts to make a difference in people’s lives, fight crime and to keep communities safer.”