Scripps’ Court TV Mystery Rebranded as Ion Mystery

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Network carries procedural dramas including ‘CSI’ and ‘Law & Order’

Ion Mystery
(Image credit: Scripps Networks)

Scripps Networks said it has rebranded its Court TV Mystery digital multicast network as Ion Mystery, effective Thursday.

Scripps found the Ion brand was a better fit for the network as the home of scripted procedural dramas such as CSI, CSI: Miami, Law & Order and Leverage. Ion Mystery is available in 120 million homes or 98% of the United States.

Ion Mystery was originally launched by Katz Broadcasting in 2014 as Escape, a network aimed at women. Katz was acquired by the E.W. Scripps Co. in 2017. After rebooting Court TV in 2019, Katz rebranded Escape as Court TV Mystery later that year. Scripps acquired Ion Media in 2020 and formed Scripps Networks by combining Ion, Katz and Newsy.

“Mystery has added popular procedural dramas to its schedule and with the network’s programming now more connected with the hall of fame line-up of hit dramas on Ion, aligning the two networks creates increased consumer recognition, expands brand affinity and cross-promotional strength, and facilitates the ability to naturally share content and more,” said Lisa Knutson, president of Scripps Networks.

Scripps Networks also runs the Bounce, Defy TV, Laff and TrueReal digital broadcast networks. ■

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.