Escape Adds Three True Crime Series

Escape, the nascent over-the-air television network for women, has acquired the rights to 538 episodes of three true crime series in three individual licensing agreements announced today:

• Snapped (150 episodes) from NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution, U.S. and Canada.

• Unsolved Mysteries (175 episodes) hosted by Dennis Farina from Cosgrove/Meurer Productions.

• Forensic Files (213 episodes) from Trifecta Entertainment & Media.

 “These three series are in the true-crime television hall of fame,” said Katz. “We are assembling a mystery and drama-fueled line-up that will provide viewers the opportunity to escape from their daily lives.”

Motion pictures headed to Escape include Body Heat, Presumed Innocent, Disclosure, Misery, Dead Calm, Malice, Dolores Claiborne, Star 80, The Interpreter, The Bone Collector, Fatal Attraction, Mulholland Drive, Lost Highway, The Return, Play Misty for Me, A Kiss Before Dying, Waking The Dead, The Black Dahlia and many more.

Series information
Snapped — Features cases of everyday, real women— moms, wives and girlfriends — accused of murder. Did they really do it? And if so, why? Was it a cheating spouse, years of constant abuse or that dirty dish in the sink? Snapped is produced by Jupiter Entertainment with Stephen Land and Deborah Allen serving as executive producers.

Unsolved Mysteries — One of the longest-running programs in television, Unsolved Mysteries has profiled more than 1,ooo cases. Over half the cases featuring wanted fugitives have been solved, most as a result of viewer tips. Also, more than one hundred families have been reunited as a result of “Lost Love” segments on the show, and several cases involving missing heirs, murder, fraud and amnesia have also been solved. In seven cases, individuals wrongly convicted of crimes have been released following Unsolved Mysteries broadcasts.

Forensic Files — This series is a pioneer in the field of fact-based, high-tech, dramatic storytelling. It delves into the world of forensic science, profiling intriguing crimes. Coroners, medical examiners, physicians, emergency medical and law enforcement personnel, the press and legal experts seek solutions to puzzling, often baffling cases whose riddles are ultimately solved by forensic detection.

Escape will target women 25-54 with a mix of off-net series and theatrical motion pictures that will emphasize heroines and heroes that slip away from pursuit or peril.  The network, set to launch later this summer, is part of Katz Broadcasting, a new company established by current Bounce TV founder/COO and former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz, who serves as President and CEO. Escape’s companion diginet Grit will targetted to men and will also launch later this summer.

Escape and Grit are both currently cleared to be seen in 50% of the country, with more distribution to be announced shortly.  The networks will be seen in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Washington, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, San Francisco and other major markets.