Chicago -- Underlining its belief in its signature series, Courtroom
Television Network has secured a long-term deal with Medstar Communications to
produce Forensic Files exclusively for the legal network through
2009.
"Forensic Files is just beginning to make the kind of splash we think
it can make," Court TV executive vice president of programming and marketing Art
Bell said. "As forensics technology becomes more interesting, there will be even
better stories to tell."
Bell said the network will air 30 original Forensics installments
during 2003, and he anticipates that will be the annual order number for the
balance of the new deal.
Court TV has premiered 103 Forensics episodes since its debut Sept.
18, 2000. The series averages a 1.0 household rating nightly, network executives
said.
"The show performs well in primetime, on the weekends, whenever we run it. We
didn't want to let it get away," Bell added.
The series ran last August and September on NBC. "There are other
opportunities, with NBC and elsewhere," Bell said.
