History of TruTV in Timeline

TruTV is an American basic cable channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Originally launched as Court TV in 1990, it initially focused on crime-themed programs like true crime documentaries, legal dramas, and live court coverage. Over time, the channel shifted its programming, eventually rebranding as TruTV and adopting a mix of comedy reruns, docusoaps, and reality shows, with a recent emphasis on live sports in primetime. It was initially a joint venture involving multiple companies, including Time Warner, Cablevision, and Liberty Media.

June 1990: Competing Projects at National Cable Television Association

In June 1990, both the American Trial Network from Time Warner and American Lawyer Media (ALM), and In Court from Cablevision and GE were present at the National Cable Television Association to launch cable channels with live courtroom proceedings.

December 14, 1990: Court TV Launched

On December 14, 1990, Court TV was launched as a joint venture between Time Warner, Cablevision, American Lawyer Media, Liberty Media, and GE. The network focused on crime-themed programs.

July 1, 1991: Court TV Launched

On July 1, 1991, The Courtroom Television Network, known as Court TV, was launched at 6:00 a.m. Eastern Time, reaching three million subscribers.

1991: Liberty Media Joins Court TV Venture

In 1991, Liberty Media joined the Court TV venture, expanding the partnership for the crime-themed network.

1994: Court TV Gained Recognition During Menéndez Brothers' First Trial

In 1994, the network Court TV gained recognition during the Menéndez brothers' first trial.

1995: Court TV Gained Recognition During O.J. Simpson Murder Trial

In 1995, Court TV gained further recognition during the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

1997: Time Warner Acquired ALM's Stake in Court TV

In 1997, Time Warner acquired ALM to gain ownership of its stake in Court TV and subsequently sold its publications to a private equity fund in 1998.

1997: Steven Brill Left Court TV

In 1997, law writer Steven Brill, who led the network originally, left Court TV.

1998: GE Sold its Share of Court TV to Time Warner

In 1998, GE sold its share of Court TV to Time Warner. That same year, Court TV began running several original and acquired programs in prime time, such as Homicide: Life on the Street, Cops, and Forensic Files.

Loading Video...

2001: Court TV Purchased The Smoking Gun Website

In 2001, Court TV purchased The Smoking Gun, a website focused on legal items such as mug shots and public documents pertaining to famous individuals and cases.

February 3, 2003: Court TV Plus Debuted on Sirius Satellite Radio

On February 3, 2003, "Court TV Plus" debuted on Sirius Satellite Radio, featuring audio from Court TV programs, launching on Channel 134.

September 2005: Court TV Plus Moved to Channel 110 on Sirius

In September 2005, Court TV Plus was moved to Channel 110 on Sirius Satellite Radio.

2005: Court TV Announced Programming Split

In 2005, Court TV announced it would split its programming into two brands: Court TV News for daytime trial coverage and a "Seriously Entertaining" brand for reality shows dealing with crime-related topics.

2005: Liberty Media and Time Warner Purchase Stakes in Court TV

In 2005, Liberty Media and Time Warner purchased ALM, Cablevision, and GE's stakes in Court TV.

January 2006: Court TV Launched Male-Targeted Programming Block "RED"

In January 2006, Court TV launched a male-targeted programming block known as "RED" ("Real. Exciting. Dramatic.").

May 2006: Time Warner Acquired Liberty Media's Stake in Court TV

In May 2006, Time Warner acquired Liberty Media's stake in Court TV for $735 million, valuing the channel at $1.5 billion. The channel was integrated into Time Warner's Turner Broadcasting unit.

2006: Time Warner Buys Liberty's Share of Court TV

In 2006, Time Warner bought out Liberty's share in Court TV for $735 million, bringing the channel under the Turner Broadcasting System.

July 11, 2007: Time Warner Announces Court TV Relaunch as TruTV

On July 11, 2007, Time Warner announced that Court TV would be relaunched as TruTV on January 1, 2008. TruTV would shift towards action-oriented reality series.

2007: Court TV Premiered First Original Scripted Series

In 2007, Court TV premiered its first original scripted series, 'Til Death Do Us Part—an anthology of crime re-enactments hosted by filmmaker John Waters.

Loading Video...

January 1, 2008: Court TV Plus Ceased Operations

On January 1, 2008, Court TV Plus on Sirius Satellite Radio ceased operations.

2008: Court TV Relaunched as TruTV

In 2008, Court TV relaunched as TruTV, shifting its focus to action-oriented docusoaps and "caught on camera" programs, marketed as "actuality" television.

February 8, 2010: TruTV Premiered NFL Full Contact

On February 8, 2010, TruTV premiered NFL Full Contact, a show that gave a behind-the-scenes look at the television production for major football events such as the Super Bowl, the NFL draft, the Pro Bowl, and the season opener. The show was not renewed for a second season.

Loading Video...

March 15, 2011: TruTV Aired Live Sports Programming for the First Time

On March 15, 2011, TruTV began airing live sports programming for the first time with its telecasts of the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

March 2011: Increase in HD Feed Carriage

In March 2011, the channel saw carriage of its HD feed increase, due to its coverage of the 2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament which was its first-ever live sports telecast.

2011: TruTV Adds Sports Broadcasts

In 2011, TruTV began adding occasional sports broadcasts from Turner Sports (renamed TNT Sports in 2023), primarily the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

2011: TruTV Began Broadcasting NCAA Tournament

In 2011, as part of a new partnership between CBS Sports and Turner Sports, TruTV began to broadcast coverage of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

March 4, 2013: In Session Cut to Taped Format

On March 4, 2013, In Session was cut to a two-hour, taped format.

September 2013: In Session Phased Out

By September 2013, TruTV phased out its legal coverage program "In Session".

September 26, 2013: In Session Block Ended

On September 26, 2013, TruTV's week-daily news block, In Session, which provided live coverage of trials and legal news, ended its run.

September 30, 2013: In Session Cancelled

On September 30, 2013, In Session was cancelled and replaced by a block of library programming titled "In Session Presents."

April 2014: TruTV Announced Brand Repositioning

In April 2014, TruTV announced it would undergo a brand repositioning for the 2014–15 television season aimed towards "funseekers", focusing on comedy-oriented docusoaps, semi-scripted series, sketch comedies, and reality competitions.

October 2014: TruTV Pivots to Comedy-Based Reality Series

In October 2014, TruTV shifted its format to focus more on comedy-based reality series, such as Impractical Jokers.

Loading Video...

October 27, 2014: TruTV Introduced New Marketing Campaign and Logo

On October 27, 2014, TruTV introduced a new marketing campaign ("Way More Fun") and updated logo as part of its brand repositioning. The channel was temporarily marketed as "The New truTV."

2014: The Smoking Gun Sold Back to Founder

In 2014, The Smoking Gun website was sold back to its founder after being a property of Court TV (later TruTV). In the same year, Court TV also purchased the website Crime Library, which remained an actively updated TruTV property until 2014.

2015: TruTV Carried Top Rank Boxing Telecasts

In 2015, TruTV carried a series of HBO-produced Top Rank boxing telecasts under the title MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout.

2015: "#HaveUFoundtrutv" Social Media Campaign

In 2015, TruTV launched the "#HaveUFoundtrutv" social media campaign, commenting on viewers who were having trouble finding TruTV on their television provider's lineup, or were unaware of the channel entirely.

2015: Crime Library Website Taken Offline

In 2015, the Crime Library website, formerly a TruTV property, was taken offline.

January 2016: TruTV Available in 91 Million Households

As of January 2016, TruTV was available to approximately 91 million households (78.1%) in the United States.

May 2016: TruTV Broadcasted NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship

In May 2016, TruTV broadcast the opening rounds of the inaugural NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship.

December 2016: TruTV Unveiled New Marketing Campaign and Slogan

In December 2016, TruTV unveiled a new marketing campaign and slogan, "Funny Because It's tru", which reinforced the network's focus on comedy by satirizing the "cliches" of television promos.

2017: Turner Televised NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship

In 2017, Turner would also televise the event NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship.

2017: Court TV Name Bought by Katz Broadcasting

In 2017, the Court TV name was bought by Katz Broadcasting (now Scripps Networks), part of the E. W. Scripps Company.

2017: HLN Began Producing More True Crime Programs

In 2017, with changes to HLN's programming strategy and the growing popularity of the genre, the network began to produce and premiere more original true crime programs.

December 2018: Turner Sold Rights to Court TV Brand and Programming Library

In December 2018, Turner sold the rights to the Court TV brand and programming library to the E. W. Scripps Company's Katz Broadcasting unit.

2018: "truTV Awareness Month" Campaign

In 2018, TruTV launched the "truTV Awareness Month" campaign to promote the channel and its programming to the expanded audience.

February 12, 2019: UK channel renamed True Crime

On February 12, 2019, the UK version of TruTV was renamed True Crime.

March 4, 2019: AT&T Announced Reorganization of Broadcasting Assets

On March 4, 2019, AT&T announced a major reorganization of its broadcasting assets to effectively dissolve Turner Broadcasting. TruTV along with TBS, TNT and HBO moved to newly formed WarnerMedia Entertainment.

April 1, 2019: Action converted to Adult Swim network

On April 1, 2019, Action, which had been the predominant broadcaster of TruTV programming in Canada, was converted to a new full-time Adult Swim network.

May 2019: Court TV relaunched as an over-the-air digital network

In May 2019, Katz Broadcasting relaunched Court TV as an over-the-air digital network, reviving the dormant brand after 11 years.

June 2023: TruTV Available in 68.3 Million Households

By June 2023, TruTV's availability dropped to 68.3 million households.

September 3, 2023: TruTV to be replaced by Adult Swim

On September 3, 2023, it was announced that TruTV in Latin America would be replaced by a 24/7 Adult Swim channel on October 31.

2023: NBA In-Season Tournament "BetCast"

During the 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament, TruTV began airing a sports betting focused alternate telecast, called "BetCast", for select games alongside the TNT broadcast.

February 14, 2024: NHL Alternate Broadcast with Spittin' Chiclets

On February 14, 2024, TruTV aired an NHL alternate broadcast featuring Paul Bissonnette and the panel from his Spittin' Chiclets podcast.

March 11, 2024: TruTV Soft Launched New Evening and Primetime Block

On March 11, 2024, TruTV soft launched a new evening and primetime block focused on TNT Sports content. This will include alternate and simulcast broadcasts of sporting events carried by its sister networks, as well as new studio shows, and sports-related documentaries and films.

March 2024: TruTV and Max acquire MotoGP rights

In March 2024, TruTV and Max acquired the U.S. rights to the MotoGP series.

March 2024: TruTV Increases Focus on Sports Programming

In March 2024, TruTV began to increase its focus on sports programming, introducing a weeknight block that will feature sports-related programming, as well as being incorporated into new and upcoming TNT Sports rights such as MotoGP and NASCAR.

July 2024: TruTV Block to Be Given More Pronounced Presence

After its soft launch, it was announced in July 2024 that the block would be given a more "pronounced" presence and branding beginning in October.

September 2024: FanDuel TV's Up & Adams Syndicated on TruTV

In September 2024, FanDuel TV began syndicating its studio show Up & Adams, hosted by Kay Adams, on TruTV; the program had also been syndicated to Max.

2025: NASCAR Practice and Qualifying Sessions on TruTV

Beginning in 2025, TruTV will air practice and qualifying sessions for 19 NASCAR Cup Series races per season as part of NASCAR's new media rights with TNT.

2025: TruTV to air French Open Coverage

In 2025, TruTV will begin airing coverage of the French Open, primarily featuring the whiparound show 'The Rally', as part of TNT Sports' rights to the tournament.