Crime+Investigation: 15 Years of Pursuing the Truth

Leading true-crime channel Crime+Investigation® turns 15 in the UK this July. For a decade and a half, C+I has examined, informed, and entertained viewers with award-winning content and ground-breaking investigative series, with the highest volume of UK originals in the field, firmly establishing itself as the UK's #1 authority in the true-crime space, and embodying the bold brand proposition 'Truth is Worth Pursuing.'

C+I has fearlessly taken enthusiasts on a journey into the dark, complex, and compelling world of real crime, all while providing unprecedented and exclusive access to British and US talent, experts, survivors, and perpetrators.

Through the years, renowned talent and experts such as Katharine Kelly, Philip Glenister, Jo Frost, Robbie Coltrane, Emma Kenny, Kym Marsh, Denise Welch, Martin and Gary Kemp, Dermot Murnaghan, David Swindle, Marcia Clarke, Fred Dinenage, Joe Kenda, Leah Remini, and Paula Zahn have entertained audiences across the UK, bringing to life the most compelling true-crime cases and high-profile investigations.

Dermot Murnaghan said: "Crime+Investigation has been at the forefront of the increasingly popular true crime genre. My longstanding relationship with the channel is a testament to the quality programming that they have delivered for 15 years, giving their incredible audience insight into the complex and intriguing world of true crime."

Over the past 15 years, the channel has grown from strength to strength, enjoying this year its best viewing figures since 2012. Murdertown series two, which aired in September 2019, is the highest performing show on the channel, achieving ratings of 148.7k across the series. More recent hits in 2020 include original productions Murder at My Door with Kym Marsh, which consistently delivered 100k+ viewers, and Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan, which achieved a 94% increase on slot average – among a slate of almost 50 hours of British commissions and co-pros. The acclaimed Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, which was on the spot at the arraignment of Ghislaine Maxwell last summer, enjoyed a 198% increase against the 9 pm slot average and a premiere episode rating of 127k. Survivors with Denise Welch launched with 103,000 viewers this April, making it the most successful new series launch of the year; the show ranked #1 for downloads per episode on Sky.

Denise Welch added: "As a true-crime aficionado, Crime+Investigation is, without a doubt, a favourite channel. Working with them on my recent true crime series was rewarding in that they represent the stories of victims and survivors alike with authenticity. I appreciate how Crime + Investigation tells their stories with respect and passion for the genre - so here's to another 15 years."

C+I Play launched on Prime Video and Apple TV Channels in 2019. It is now the fastest-growing true-crime streaming channel in the UK, outpacing the market by a margin of 2:1, and has close to 100,000 subscribers, thanks to top-rated series including The Jail: 60 Days in, Crimes That Shook Britain, and The First 48. More recently, C+I Play has become the exclusive home of one of the most successful true crime franchises, Homicide Hunter, with all eight series available.

C+I has expanded the scope of its mission, culminating in a tangible shift towards themes of advocacy. The brand works closely with the anti-domestic abuse charity Refuge in the United Kingdom. As part of their partnership, C+I and Refuge launched the End Abuse Against Women initiative in the latter half of 2019. The initiative's objectives were to shine a light on the shocking statistics and growing instances of abuse against women in the UK, deepen the knowledge of the types of abuse affecting women, and showcase available services to help them.

Shows such as Murdered by My Husband: The Hollie Kerrell Story, Surviving Jeffrey Epstein, Surviving R. Kelly, and Cosby: The Women Speak are a testament to C+I's commitment to highlighting all forms of abuse impacting women in its truthful and sensitive style that audiences trust.

C+I is set to bring a stellar line-up of TV personalities, leading true-crime experts and authors, renowned investigative journalists, and content makers to the first-ever CrimeCon UK: a live true-crime event held in London on 25th-26th September 2021. With a host of speaking sessions across the main stage and more intimate breakout discussions over the two-day event, Crime+Investigation's array of special guests will immerse true crime fans in authentic, powerful crime stories of survivors, families, and perpetrators.

Heather Jones, GM UK, SVP Content and Creative, EMEA, said: "In these 15 years Crime+Investigation has emerged as the most trusted true-crime brand in the UK, launching iconic, all-time favorites shows such as Britain's Darkest Taboos, Crimes That Shook Britain, I am a Killer and Surviving R. Kelly, and Murdertown. Its unique, investigative style runs like a thread through the channel's programming, marketing, publicity, and brand positioning. We also believe that meaningful true-crime content should not only be entertaining, it must also grip the viewer's emotions and prompt them to make a positive impact on the world around them. It is our responsibility to be purposeful and deliberate as we strive to end all forms of violence against women."

From July, on Video on Demand, viewers will have the opportunity to taste what C+I is famous for: "The British Crime Collection" will feature What the Killer Did Next, Robbie Coltrane’s Critical Evidence, Murdertown, and Crimes That Shook Britain.


Upcoming key shows on the channel include:

•             The highly anticipated Ivan Milat: Backpacker Murderer premieres on 10 August at 21:00. The series will follow a string of backpacker murders that took place in Australia between 1989 and 1993.

•             Alongside Ivan Milat: Backpacker Murderer, and as part of brand new summer stunt Death in Paradise, C+I will be showing Cruise Ship Killers (1st August, 9pm) & Murder in Paradise (9th August, 9pm).

•             Crime+Investigation’s most successful ever UK crime series, Murdertown, has its season 3 premiere in September with new host Anita Rani.

•             Hosted and curated by one of the UK’s best-known journalists, Killer Britain with Dermot Murnaghan returns in October to explore the real stories and intrigue behind the headlines of some of the UK’s most notorious crimes.