Observed Signal · Oct 15, 2026 · Product Launch · Source: Cord Cutters News · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive
ABC News Launches 20/20 True Crime Subscription Podcast Channel
ABC News has launched a dedicated 20/20 True Crime channel on Apple Podcasts, consolidating its true crime audio offerings. The channel, operated under ABC Audio, includes roughly two dozen shows, with free episodes and a premium subscription tier called 20/20 True Crime+. Launched in late July 2026, the subscription costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year after a free trial, offering ad-free playback, early access to new series, and exclusive bonus content like subscriber-only Q&As with anchor Deborah Roberts. The channel features established shows such as 'What Happened to Holly Bobo?' and newer series like 'Burden of Proof: Luigi Mangione.' This move positions ABC News to capitalize on the growing true crime podcast audience and leverage its production infrastructure.
This news highlights the growing trend of media companies launching premium subscription channels on podcast platforms, indicating a shift towards direct-to-consumer monetization in audio. It is relevant to the media industry as it shows how publishers are leveraging their content libraries to create new revenue streams.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- ABC News launched a dedicated 20/20 True Crime channel on Apple Podcasts.
- The premium subscription '20/20 True Crime+' costs $2.99 per month or $29.99 per year.
- The channel includes roughly two dozen true crime shows.
- The subscription offers ad-free playback, early access to new series, and exclusive bonus content.
- The subscription launched in late July 2026.
Connected Companies & Entities
1 Entity mapped“ABC News has established a dedicated 20/20 True Crime channel on Apple Podcasts.”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Disney+ and Hulu to Stream Two True Crime Podcasts
Disney+ and Hulu have struck a deal with PAVE Studios, a creator-first media company, to bring two Crime House original video podcasts to their streaming platforms. 'Clues', hosted by Kaelyn Moore, will premiere on October 20, with new episodes weekly, available a day earlier than on other platforms. 'Mother Knows Murder', hosted by Niecy Nash and her daughter Dia Nash, will debut on November 9. The shows are produced under PAVE Studios' Crime House brand, which aims to create premium content for streaming audiences. PAVE Studios' CEO Max Cutler emphasized the brand's portability and the potential to expand to multiple platforms, positioning PAVE as a content collaborator for streaming services. This partnership highlights the growing trend of video podcasts being distributed on major streaming platforms, extending their reach beyond traditional podcast platforms.
FOX One and Tubi Add Crime Weekly Podcast
Red Seat Ventures has signed a multiyear partnership to bring the true-crime podcast Crime Weekly — hosted by Derrick Levasseur and created by Stephanie Harlowe — to FOX’s streaming lineup. Under the deal Red Seat will manage exclusive audio and video ad sales and distribute the show across FOX streaming properties including Tubi and FOX One, as well as third-party platforms such as YouTube. Crime Weekly, launched in 2020, has amassed substantial audience reach online. The agreement follows FOX’s February 2025 acquisition of Red Seat Ventures and is part of a broader industry shift toward video podcasting as a retention and monetization strategy for streaming platforms.
Pluto TV Adds 15 Free Live True Crime Channels
Pluto TV has expanded its free, ad-supported FAST lineup with 15 dedicated live true crime channels. The curated offering includes branded and franchise streams such as Pluto True Crime, Pluto More True Crime, The First 48 by A&E, Cops on Pluto, Dateline 24/7, Forensic Files, Court TV and Oxygen True Crime Archives. The channels run 24/7 and are available at no cost on Pluto TV’s platform. Pluto TV was founded in 2013 by Nick Grouf, Tom Ryan and Ilya Pozin, was acquired by Viacom (now Paramount Global) in 2019 for $340 million, and had grown to more than 80 million global users by 2026. The update increases AVOD/FAST programming inventory available to viewers and advertisers on Pluto TV.
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